Equivalent Fractions and

Simplest Form (or Lowest Terms)

Objective: 1. Learn to identify and write equivalent fractions. 2. Learn to write fractions in simplest form.

Take a white paper and fold it in half. Shade half of the paper. How many sides are in total? How much is

shaded? What is the fraction? ______________ Now, fold the same paper in 4 parts. How

much is shaded our of the total amount of squares? __________________

Now, fold it again in 8 parts and then 16 parts. What fractions do you see? __________

Mini-Lab

when a and b are whole numbers greater than 0, it is called a fraction. The number on top is called the numerator. The bottom number is called the denominator.

1 numerator

4 denominator When 2 fractions represent the same

quantity, they are equivalent.

Fractions: a b

For Example to find two equivalent fractions to 12 16

So, first we are going to multiply…12 × 2 =2416 × 2 =32

Then we will divide both numbers and get a smaller equivalent fraction.12 ÷ 2 = 616 ÷ 2= 8

24 and 6 are equivalent to 1232 8 16

To find Equivalent Fractions you can multiply or divide by any convenient numbers.

Find 2 equivalent fractions (one smaller and one larger) for each fraction.

1. 6 9

2. 25 30

3. 10 12

Examples:

A fraction is in simplest form or lowest terms when 1 is the only common factor of the numerator and the denominator.

For example: 8 ÷ 2 = 4 10 ÷ 2 = 5

10 ÷ 5= 2 15 ÷ 5= 3

Your Example: Express each fraction in lowest terms.

1. 5 = 2. 30 40 36

Lowest Terms or Simplest Form:

Write 2 equivalent fractions for each fraction.

1. 9 12

2. 25 35

3. 16 32

4. 14 20

5. 10 20

Write each fraction in simplest form.

6. 12 20

7. 15 25

8. 24 28

9. 20 80

10. 32 32

Homework: