How can you use division to simplify a fraction?

Question

How can you use division to simplify a fraction?

1 Answer

Impact of this question

3367 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2016-04-19T21:17:28

You divide the numerator and denominator by a number

Explanation:

So you're trying to simplify a fraction

if that fraction is $\frac{10}{20}$ $10/20$

find a whole number that can divide into the numerator and denominator.

if that whole number was 5, then we calculate $\frac{10}{5} = 2$ $10/5=2$ and $\frac{20}{5} = 4$ $20/5=4$

now the fraction is simplified to $\frac{2}{4}$ $2/4$ , but we can still simplify it.

now that whole number we're using to divide is 2, calculate $\frac{2}{2} = 1$ $2/2=1$ and $\frac{4}{2} = 2$ $4/2=2$

$\frac{10}{20}$ $10/20$ in its simplest form is $\frac{1}{2}$ $1/2$

When we add both of those whole numbers $5 + 2$ $5+2$ we get $7$ $7$

if you tried evaluating $\frac{10}{7}$ $10/7$ and $\frac{20}{7}$ $20/7$ you wouldn't get a whole number for an answer, but 7 only fits into 10 once, and fits into 20 twice. so the simplest form of $\frac{10}{20}$ $10/20$ must be $\frac{1}{2}$ $1/2$ .

Science

Math

Humanities

... and beyond

How can you use division to simplify a fraction?

1 Answer

Explanation:

Related questions

Impact of this question