r

Simplest form A fraction is in simplest form when you can

represent it using as few equal parts of a whole as possible. You need to
describe the part you have in equal-size parts. If you can't describe the
part you have using fewer parts, then you cannot simplify the fraction.

1IJOne Way Use models to write an equivalent

fraction in simplest form.

MODEL WRITE EQUIVALENT RELATE EQUIVALENT

FRACTIONS FRACTIONS

_J1
I
I
1
__l__LJ.._
•1•
I
I
I
I I
I
I
I
I
~ mm
- -- -- - --

I I I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I
--'--J-- I I
_..,__., __ 6 + 6 1
--'--J--1--.J--J--
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I 12 + 6 2
I I I I I I I I I

To simplify 1~ , you can combine tenth-size p arts into equal

groups with 2 parts each.

6 _ 6+ 2 3
So, 10 - 10 +
2 5

1IJAnother Way Use common factors to write 1~

in simplest form .

A fraction is in simplest form when 1 is the only factor that the

numerator and denominator have in common. The parts of the
whole cannot be combined into fewer equal-size parts to show
the same fraction.
STEP t List t he factors of t h e n umerator and Factors of 6: CD ® 3 6
deno mi nato r. Circle common factors.
Factors of 10: CD ®
,
5 10

STEP 2 Div ide t he nu merator and denom in ator I _§_ = 6 + 2 =3-

by a common factor g reater than 1. 10 10 + 2 5
3
Since 1 is the only factor that 3 and 5 have in common, s
is written in simplest form.
~

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 Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Share and Show

1. Write 180 in simplest form.

-8 -_- -
8+- -2 -_- 4-
10 10+ 2 5
Write the fraction in simplest form.

3 2
· 10 5. 64

1 1 3 2
2 5 4 3
Possible explanation: the numerator and denominator ~
have no common factors other than 1. ~ MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES 0

■\ Explain how you know

On Your Own !!!r./ a fraction is in simplest
form.
Write the fraction in simplest form.

6 9 7 4 10 9
20
' 12 · 8 s. 12 · 100

3 1 5 1
4 2 6 5

Tell whether the fraction ls in simplest form.

Write yes or no.
4
10. 82 11. 12
9
12. 65 13. 10

>,
:ij
~ no no yes no
s
2'
~
8
~ 14. Lei•NUP&#jThere are 18 students in Jacob's homeroom.
5
~ Six students bring their lunch to school. The rest eat lunch
:c
C:
~
in the cafeteria In simplest form, what fraction of students
~
C:
g
eat lunch in the cafeteria?
C:
g,
~
j of students
I)

Chapter 6 • Lesson 3 34
 Personal Mat
18. , THINKSMARTTR +U In Michelle's homeroom, 195 of the
t
students ride the bus to school, 1 get a car ride, and
; walk to school For numbers 18a-18c, select
0
True or False for each statement.

18a. i
In simplest form, of the • True O False
students ride the b us to school.

18b. In simplest form, ¼of the 0 True • False

students get a car ride to school.

18c. 1
In simplest form, 1 of the • True 0 False
students walk to school.

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