How to Simplify Fractions

Fractions can look scary, but they don’t have to. They are one of the easiest things to learn to do well in mathematics. Once you know the steps in how to simplify fractions, you can do this easily and with confidence.

What does it mean to simplify a fraction?

To simplify a fraction means to bring it to as small a number as possible, while keeping the number the same. You do this by dividing the top number and the bottom number by the same number.

For example .

6/8 can be simplified to 3/4 because both can be divided by 2. The fraction 3/4 means the same thing as 6/8 but it is neater and easier to work with.

How to Simplify a Fraction

To do this it is necessary to know the highest common factor (HCF). As it is important to know how to find the HCF, first let us simply give the correct meaning.

Step 1

Find the highest common factor (HCF).

The HCF is the largest number that divides both the numerator and the denominator exactly.

Step 2

Divide by the highest common factor

Divide by this number both at the top and the bottom.

Step 3

Check.

See if you can divide again, if you cannot, your fraction is in simplest form.

Now let us take an example

Simplify 12/20 .

Now we want to find the HCF of 12 and 20. The HCF of these is 4.

Now divide 12 and 20 by this number. 12 ÷ 4 = 3, and 20 ÷ 4 = 5.

It is then simplified to 3/5.

Now some common mistakes.

Some students forget to divide both by the same number.

Some again do not work it out right, they come down too quickly from the fraction.

Always make sure if you can simplify again.

For instance if we take 18/24, this gives you 18/24 ÷ 2 = 9/12. We can improve again on this because we divide by 3 gives us three-forths and this again is the simplest form of the fraction.

Why simplify fractions!

For the reason that they make it easier in working any sort. Complicated fractions are difficult to compare against, and add and subtract. At the same time it looks neater with all answers given in exams, and it is the rule with teachers and examiners to expect that the answer is in the simplest form.

By the way!

Supposing you get a little muddled about how to find out the HCF, you can practice getting the HCF by dividing by small numbers such as 2, 3 and 5, it is successful. If you practice this often it will soon make you quicker.

When you start preparing for your exams or any school assessments, working with an Online Maths Tutor for GCSE can be really beneficial. Not only can they help with fractions as a topic but they can help with other areas of GCSE Maths as well.

Final Text

When you know how, it is not too difficult at all to simplify fractions. Find out the HCF and divide it accurately and check as to find out your work which is agreed in fraction. Just see how after practice, you can get very rapidly simplify fractions like a professional and speedily with them in formational ways. Here you are required in your method hastily, neater and meaningly all progressively are your application yourself in mathematical attributes.