Simplify the Fraction 8/16 to a Denominator of 2: Step-by-Step

Q: How do I find what number to divide by?

Look at what you need to divide the denominator by to get your target! Here, 16 ÷ ? = 2, so ? = 8. Then divide both top and bottom by 8.

Q: What if the target denominator doesn't work?

The target denominator must be a factor of the original denominator. Since 2 divides evenly into 16, it works! If it doesn't divide evenly, the fraction can't be simplified to that denominator.

Q: Why can't I just change the denominator to 2?

Changing only the denominator creates a completely different fraction! You must keep the fractions equivalent by doing the same operation to both parts.

Q: How do I check if my simplified fraction is correct?

Cross-multiply! For $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{8}{16} $, check: 1×16 = 16 and 2×8 = 16. Since both equal 16, they're equivalent! ✓

Q: Is there only one way to simplify this fraction?

To get denominator 2, there's only one correct answer: $ \frac{1}{2} $. But you could simplify $ \frac{8}{16} $ to other equivalent fractions like $ \frac{4}{8} $ or $ \frac{2}{4} $.

Fraction Simplification with Target Denominators

Simplify the fraction below to the denominator 2:

$\frac{8}{16}$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Reduce the fraction to denominator 8

00:03 Divide the fraction by the appropriate factor

00:06 Make sure to divide both numerator and denominator

00:09 Calculate the quotients

00:12 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Simplify the fraction below to the denominator 2:

$\frac{8}{16}$

Step-by-step solution

Let's look at the denominator of the fraction. We'll try to find a number that, when divided by 16, gives us a result of 2:

$\frac{8:8}{16:8}=\frac{1}{2}$

Final Answer

$\frac{1}{2}$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Divide both numerator and denominator by same number
Technique: Find what divides 16 to get 2: 16÷8=2
Check: Verify $\frac{1}{2}$ equals $\frac{8}{16}$ by cross-multiplying: 1×16 = 2×8 = 16 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Dividing only the denominator by the conversion factor
Don't divide just 16 by 8 to get 2 while leaving 8 unchanged = $\frac{8}{2}$ ! This creates a different fraction that's not equivalent to the original. Always divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Simplify the following fraction by a factor of 4:

$\frac{4}{8}=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I find what number to divide by?

Look at what you need to divide the denominator by to get your target! Here, 16 ÷ ? = 2, so ? = 8. Then divide both top and bottom by 8.

What if the target denominator doesn't work?

The target denominator must be a factor of the original denominator. Since 2 divides evenly into 16, it works! If it doesn't divide evenly, the fraction can't be simplified to that denominator.

Why can't I just change the denominator to 2?

Changing only the denominator creates a completely different fraction! You must keep the fractions equivalent by doing the same operation to both parts.

How do I check if my simplified fraction is correct?

Cross-multiply! For $\frac{1}{2} = \frac{8}{16}$ , check: 1×16 = 16 and 2×8 = 16. Since both equal 16, they're equivalent! ✓

Is there only one way to simplify this fraction?

To get denominator 2, there's only one correct answer: $\frac{1}{2}$ . But you could simplify $\frac{8}{16}$ to other equivalent fractions like $\frac{4}{8}$ or $\frac{2}{4}$ .

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