Fractions Lesson 4

Simplifying fractions

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

WALT : find an equivalent
fraction which uses the
lowest numbers.

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Simplifying is like finding
an equivalent fraction.

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

For example, let’s think of
an equivalent fraction for
……

6
10

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

So remember, what ever
we do to the top number
we must do to the bottom
number.
6
10

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 So here’s an equivalent
fraction…… let’s multiply
top and bottom by 3…..
times 3

6 18
10 30

times 3

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 To simplify a fraction we
must change it.

6 18
10 30

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Change it to the smallest
numbers possible.

6 18
10 30
Oops, this is not using the
smallest numbers . . . .

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 So let’s try dividing.

6
10

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 But by what ?

6
10

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 So let’s try dividing.

Divide by 2

6
10

Divide by 2

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 So let’s try dividing.

Divide by 2

6 3
10 5

Divide by 2

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Yes. We have simplified
this fraction.

6 3
10 5

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Here’s another

8
14

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Chat. Think.

8
14

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by
5?

NO
14
8

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by
7?

NO
14
8

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by
2?

yes
14
8

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Can we divide 8 and 14 by
2?

divide by 2
8 4
14divide by 2 7

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 And that’s simplifying

8 4
14 7

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Even when large numbers
are involved, you still
follow the same rules.

18
36

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Even when large numbers
are involved, you still
follow the same rules.
Let’s try dividing by 2

18 9
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 But we’re not there yet!
We can simplify further.
We can make these numbers
smaller
Let’s try dividing by 2

18 9
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 What can we divide
9 and 18
by?
Let’s try dividing by 2

18 9
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Guess and check . . . .
By 4 ?
By 5 ?
Let’s try dividing by 2

18 9
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Start with the top number
itself. top and
Let’s try dividing
by 9
bottom
Let’s try dividing by 2

18 9
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

Start with the top number
itself. top and
Let’s try dividing
by 9
bottom
Let’s try dividing by 2 Let’s try dividing by 9

18 9 1
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18 Let’s try dividing by 9 2

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 It doesn’t matter how
many steps you take.
You keep dividing until you
can’t divide any more.
Let’s try dividing by 2 Let’s try dividing by 9

18 9 1
36 Let’s try dividing by 2 18 Let’s try dividing by 9 2

MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4

 Try these in your jotter
(a) 12 (b 18 (c) 32 (d 6 (e) 18
) )
27 72 48 12 36

(f) 24 (g 15 (h 54 (i) 10 (j) 4

) )
32 35 81 18 16

(k) 4 (l) 9 (m 16 (n 10 (o) 12

) )
12 36 40 50 36

Simplify them
MALT©2006 Maths/fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4
 answers
(a) 4 (b 1 (c) 2 (d 1 (e) 1
) )
9 4 3 2 2

(f) 3 (g 3 (h 2 (i) 5 (j) 1

) )
4 7 3 9 4

(k) 1 (l) 1 (m 2 (n 1 (o) 1

) )
3 4 5 5 3

answers
MALT©2006 Maths/fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4
 Fractions Lesson 4
Simplifying fractions

End of this
lesson
MALT©2006 Maths/Fractions Slide Show : Lesson 4