How do you simplify fractions? - Examples, Exercises and Solutions

How do you simplify fractions? Or, how do you reduce fractions?

In most cases, when fractions are introduced to students as a new topic in the classroom, the initial reaction is: "Here's another complex subject we have to deal with." But then, reactions change and fractions are seen as a kind of enjoyable game that is more of a technical challenge. So, what's particularly important about fractions? Understanding their meaning, the division of roles between the numerator and the denominator, and how to reduce them. Is it difficult to reduce fractions? Not really.

So, when will you need to reduce the given fractions?

At the time it's required in an exercise/test.
In case you want to work with smaller fractions.

Detailed explanation

Practice How do you simplify fractions?

Question 1

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 4:

$\frac{4}{8}=$

Question 2

Simplify the following fraction:

$\frac{4}{16}=$

Question 3

Simplify the following fraction:

$\frac{12}{8}=$

Question 4

Simplify the following fraction by the factor 8:

$\frac{16}{32}=$

Question 5

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 6.

$\frac{36}{18}=$

examples with solutions for how do you simplify fractions?

Exercise #1

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 4:

$\frac{4}{8}=$

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify as follows, we'll divide both the numerator by 4 and the denominator by 4:

$\frac{4:4}{8:4}=\frac{1}{2}$

Answer

$\frac{1}{2}$

Exercise #2

Simplify the following fraction:

$\frac{4}{16}=$

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will reduce in the following way, divide the numerator by 4 and the denominator by 4:

$\frac{4:4}{16:4}=\frac{1}{4}$

Answer

$\frac{1}{4}$

Exercise #3

Simplify the following fraction:

$\frac{12}{8}=$

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify as follows, we'll divide both the numerator by 2 and the denominator by 2:

$\frac{12:2}{8:2}=\frac{6}{4}$

Answer

$\frac{6}{4}$

Exercise #4

Simplify the following fraction by the factor 8:

$\frac{16}{32}=$

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's reduce in the following way, divide the numerator by 8 and the denominator by 8:

$\frac{16:8}{32:8}=\frac{2}{4}$

Answer

$\frac{2}{4}$

Exercise #5

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 6.

$\frac{36}{18}=$

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will reduce in the following way, divide the numerator by 6 and the denominator by 6:

$\frac{36:6}{18:6}=\frac{6}{3}$

Answer

$\frac{6}{3}$

Question 1

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 7:

$\frac{28}{70}=$

Question 2

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 10:

$\frac{100}{10}=$

Question 3

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 1:

$\frac{3}{10}=$

Question 4

Simplify the following fraction:

$\frac{2}{10}=$

Question 5

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 3:

$\frac{3}{6}=$