I dont understand how to simplify fractions?

Answer 1

That's not a question

Answer 2

Think of it by working backwards.

(A) If you multiple fractions, top and bottom, by the same number or variable, the fraction has the same value:

1/2 multiplied top and bottom by 5
(1 x 5) / (2 x 5)
= 5 /10
which is the same as 1/2 but not in simplest terms any more

1/2 multipled top and bottom by Y
= Y / 2Y

(B) When you work "backwards" you find each "common factor" that is on the top and the bottom, and divide by that to "reduce" the fraction back to simplest terms:

10/20 can be divided by 10 at top and bottom
to reduce to
1/2

X / X^2 can be divided by X at top and bottom
to reduce to
1 / X

(x + 1)(x - 1)
--------------
.....(x - 1)
can be divided by (x - 1) at top and bottom to reduce to
(x + 1)

This last example is the same as saying
x^2 - 1
--------
x - 1
can be reduced to
x + 1 by factoring the top into common factors and then dividing

Note 1: After you simplify your fraction, check again if there are any other common factors (like 2 or X) and then divide again until the top and bottom don't have any other factors in common.
Otherwise, it is not in simplest terms yet.

Note 2: To check your work, check if your original fraction is the same "value" as your reduced fraction. Two ways to check
(a) Is
2.....1
-- = --
4.... 2
If you "cross multiply" (2 x 2) and (4 x 1) you should get the same number. Since 4 = 4 then these fractions are equal.

(b) If you have "variables" in your two fractions (before and after)
Plug in a number like "1" or "2" and see if it comes out the same

x^2 - 1
--------
x - 1
is the same as
x + 1

Because for x = 2, the original fraction = 3
and "x + 1" = 3; for x = 3, both the values = 4, etc.

Answer 3

Look for a times table that has both the numerator (top of the fraction) and denominator (bottom) as answers. For example the 2 times table goes like this:
2x1=2
2x2=4
2x3=6
2x4=8
2x5=10
2x6=12
2x7=14
2x8=16
2x9=18
2x10=20
2x11=22
2x12=24

so if you have the fraction 2/6,both the top and bottom numbers are answers in the 2 times table. so you divide both of the numbers by two and you get 1/3. Is there any times table that has 1 and 3 as an answer? the 1 times table doesn't count. No, so then your fraction is simplified!

Answer 4

Well, simplify means to make the fraction use the lowest numbers. So 50/100 is really 1/2; since 100 is divisible by 50, you divide both the upper number and the lower number by 50 and get 1/2. 50 is one half of 100.

But say you have 9/12. Well, what number can you divide both 9 and 12 by to simplify it? 3 goes into 9 3 times and into 12 4 times, so 9/12 is 3/4......

Answer 5

Look for a common factor in the numerator and the denominator, then divide both the numerator and the demonimator by that number. For example, look at the fraction 4/8. Both the numerator and the denominator are divisble by 4, so divide both of them by 4 and the fraction reduces to 1/2. Keep doing this until there aren't any more common factors between the numerator and the denominator

Answer 6

If you can find a common factor within the fraction, then you can reduce the fraction... take for example 2/4... there is a common factor of 2, so if you divide by two, you will get 1/2

Answer 7

See my answer on your first question about simplifying 6/27. I wrote it out in detail.
Here's another example to help you out: Simplify 36/63.
Step 1) find greatest common factor between numerator and denominator.
Factors of 36 are: 1,2,3,4,6,9,12,18,36
Factors of 63 are: 1,3,7,9,21,63
Factors in common (except 1) are: 3,9
Greatest common factor is: 9
Step 2) use the greatest common factor and divide numerator and denominator by it.
36 divided by 9 is: 4
63 divided by 9 is: 7
So, 36/63 simplified is 4/7.

Answer 8

find some thiing that divides into the top and bottom ie 2/4 2goes into 2 once and 4 twice so it simplifies as 1/2

Answer 9

yeah but whats the question

Answer 10

u should have posted the question and get answers