Simplifying fractions
I can simplify fractions by dividing both the numerator and denominator by common factors and know why this works.
Simplifying fractions
I can simplify fractions by dividing both the numerator and denominator by common factors and know why this works.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When a fraction is multiplied by 1 it remains the same but may look different.
- Simplifying fractions can be shown to be the inverse of multiplying to find equivalent fractions.
- A fraction can be written more simply but remain equivalent by dividing the numerator and denominator by a common factor
- A fraction can be written in simplest form by dividing the numerator.
Common misconception
Pupils may think they just 'get rid' of integers which appear in both numerator and denominator.
Reinforce that you are multiplying by 1, which doesn't change the value and therefore can be omitted from further calculations.
Keywords
Factor - A factor is a term which exactly divides another term.
Highest common factor - The highest common factor is the common factor which can be divided by all other possible common factors.
Product of primes - Expressing a number as a product of primes means writing it uniquely as a product of its factors that are prime numbers.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
$$0.00067$$ -
$$\frac{67}{10^5}$$
$$6.7$$ -
$$\frac{67}{10^1}$$
$$0.067$$ -
$$\frac{67}{10^3}$$
$$0.67$$ -
$$\frac{67}{10^2}$$
Exit quiz
6 Questions
$$84\over210$$ -
$$2\over5$$
$$84\over120$$ -
$$7\over10$$
$$120\over210$$ -
$$4\over7$$
$$120\over84$$ -
$$1 \frac{3}{7}$$