Simplifying Fractions

1
Simplifying Fractions

• A fraction is in simplest form if its numerator
  and denomiator have 1 as their GCF

2

• Simplify 30_
• 116
• Method 1 find the GCF of 30 and 116 2

30 2 15 116 2 58
3

• Method 2
• 30 2 3 5
• 116 2 2 29

1
2 3 5 2 2 29
15 58
1
4
Identifying Equivalent Fractions

• 2 fractions are equal if they reduce to the same
  fraction
• Example 18 is equal to 3 because
• 48 8
• 18 6 3
• 48 6 8

5
Writing Equivalent Fractions

• To write equivalent fractions you can multiply or
  divide the numerator and denominator by the same
  number
• Example 4 2
• 10 5
• Example 4 12
• 10 30

6
Simplifying a Variable Expression
1
1
2 1 1 1 1 y

• 14x 2 7 x
• 7xy 7 x y

2 y
1
1
1
1
2 2 x y 2 3 x
2y 3
1 2 1 y 1 3 1
4xy 6x
1
1
7
Evaluating A Variable Expression