How do you simplify fractions?

The main motivation for reducing fractions is primarily to establish more favorable working conditions. The more you can reduce a fraction, the easier it will be for you to work with it and use it as a given. Therefore, you should practice this topic as much as possible and remember: the main arithmetic operation in reducing fractions is division.

It's not difficult, it's actually easy!

To reduce a fraction, you must divide both the numerator and the denominator by the same number. The big question is: To which number do you reduce the fraction? And the answer is quite simple: the smallest number possible! Sometimes, a fraction won't reduce in just one step (a characteristic of very large fractions), but rather in several different stages until you get to the smallest possible fraction. Here are some examples of what reduced fractions look like:

• The fraction $\frac{4}{10}$ becomes $\frac{2}{5}$ after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $2$.
• The fraction $\frac{5}{25}$ becomes $\frac{1}{5}$ after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $5$.
• The fraction $\frac{3}{24}$ becomes $\frac{1}{8}$ after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $3$.
• The fraction $\frac{30}{180}$ becomes $\frac{1}{6}$ after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $30$.

More examples:
How hard is it to reduce fractions? Not hard at all! Keep in mind that, unlike other topics of study which require you to perform different mental processes, here you must stick solely to the technique of division. How do you approach reducing a fraction?

• Divide the numerator and the denominator by the same number
• Choose the smallest possible number for reduction

Here are some more examples of how to reduce fractions:

• $\frac{25}{1000}$ becomes $\frac{1}{40}$, after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $25$
• $\frac{6}{18}$ becomes $\frac{1}{3}$, after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $6$
• $\frac{20}{60}$ becomes $\frac{1}{3}$, after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $20$
• $\frac{8}{32}$ becomes $\frac{1}{4}$ after dividing the numerator and the denominator by $8$

What is an easy question? An easy question for you. Naturally, there are subjects where you're stronger and those where you take a bit more time, which is fine. To start your test with a success experience, you should always begin with topics you feel more comfortable with and that give you confidence. So how do you do that?

• Quickly skim through the exam to become familiar with the types of questions and topics.
• First, answer the problems that you feel you have total control over.
• Remember: you can start answering the test on page $4$ or page $1$; the order of solving doesn’t matter.

So, what do you get from this?

• You start the exam with a successful and pleasant experience.
• Your self-confidence rises, stress and tension decrease.
• You leave plenty of time for tackling more complex questions.
• You kick off the exam with "safe" points.

Sometimes, what prevents you from achieving the success you desire isn't your knowledge but your mental barriers. Here are 3 different myths about the subject of math that you probably believe as well:

• "Math is a subject for the wise" - Not true! Math is a subject for students who understand that success is based on perseverance. It's no coincidence that there are students whose average in math is $60$, and after a period of investing in a private tutor, the average has risen to $85$. It's not that they've become wise, but that they’ve chosen to invest the effort. The key to success in the subject is perseverance: preparing assignments, participating and attending classes, and serious studying for exams.
• "Without math, it's impossible to be successful in life" - Not true! You can also be successful without having a high overall average in math, but it's important to understand: it is a subject that contributes to the development of thinking, order, and the organization of many variables, as well as handling challenges. The stress and apprehension of the subject significantly decrease upon realizing that there is a future even without math. And now, when they are more relaxed and calm, they can also succeed and maximize their abilities.
• "A private tutor is for students who are struggling" - Not true! A tutor provides you with an hour of weekly reinforcement, allowing you to ask questions, work on assignments together, and reinforce basic concepts on certain topics. Today, you can enjoy a private lesson online without leaving home! What do you need to take a private lesson? A computer and an available internet connection.

At the end of every math class, your teacher probably also asks you to do your homework and not to give up. Beyond being your duty as a student, it's also aimed at strengthening your understanding and competence in the subjects taught. Simplifying fractions is an example of a problem based on technique, relying solely on a division operation. At first, it might take you a few minutes to simplify a fraction. The more you practice, the more you'll see for yourself how those minutes turn into seconds.

• Take the test without fear of not having enough time to answer all the questions.
• They have time to retake the entire test before submitting it.

Without doing your homework and practicing the topics taught in class, it's unlikely that you'll be able to reduce the average time it takes to answer a question.

The most significant benefit of an online private math lesson is the tremendous time savings. As a student, you have to juggle multiple tasks at once, without wanting to neglect any subject. More than once, there are students who spend about thirty minutes traveling in each direction within the city to get to their private tutor. What about you? You can save this hour!

• You select a teacher from our group of math tutors.
• The tutor prepares a lesson plan with the topics you want to learn. For example: reducing fractions.
• You set the day and time according to your needs.
• Start learning! During the session, you can ask questions, solve exercises, and even get ahead on the topic before the class.

• The ability to bridge gaps throughout the year and not get stressed before the test.
• A class that focuses only on you! You ask, and the teacher answers.
• Building self-confidence thanks to success in the subject.

If you're interested in this article, you might also like the following articles:

Division and Fraction Line

Division of Powers with the Same Base

The Distributive Property in Divisions

Division of Integers within Parentheses Involving Multiplication

Division of Integers within Parentheses Involving Division

On the Tutorela blog you'll find a variety of articles with interesting explanations about mathematics