Name ____________________ Date ____________________ HR____________________ Subject____________________ Class Work: Reducing Fractions Part I Find the Simplest Form

m A fraction is in its simplest form if the numerator and denominator only have the number 1 as a common factor. Ex: is in its simplest form because the only common factor of 2 and 3 is 1. Ex: is NOT in its simplest form because 4 is a common factor of 4 and 8.

Directions: Circle the fractions that are written in simplest form. a. b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

Part II Write in Simplest Form One way to find the simplest form of a fraction is to divide the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the greatest common factor. Ex: Reduce to its simplest form. Since the GCF is 4, we can divide the numerator and denominator by 4. =

8 1, 2, 4, 8 12 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 Another way to find the simplest form of a fraction is to write each number as a product of its primes. Then you can cross out the common factors. What is left is the reduced fraction. Ex: = = =

Directions: Write each fraction in simplest form. a. b. c. d.

e.

f.

g.

h.