Simplifying Fractions Lesson 4-4

Math Vocabulary… Reduce / Simplify fractions : Means to make a fraction “smaller” in number, by division

What is Simplest Form? When the top (numerator) and bottom (denominator) have no factors in common and cannot be further divided and made smaller. 15 = 3 35 7

Checklist to Simplifying… ÷ by top # (should always try 1st) ÷ by 2 (if both #s are even) ÷ by 10 (if both top/bottom end in 0) ÷ by 5 (if both top/bottom end in 5 or 0) ÷ by GCF *(should try if recognize none of the above work)

Simplify the Fraction 8 = 12 6 = 8 28 = 35

Simplifying Fractions with Variables… Simplifying with variables can be done by “cancelling” out top/bottom pairs: x = xy m³ = m²n 3 ab² = 12 abc

Practice… a) 9 12 b) b abc c) 2mn 6m d) 24x²y 8xy Simplify the fraction… a) 9 12 b) b abc c) 2mn 6m d) 24x²y 8xy

Homework… p. 188-189 #6-10, 18-35, 45-48