IWCF UK Branch Distance Learning Programme DRILLING CALCULATIONS

Reducing a fraction to its lowest terms

By drawing you can see

4
6

2
3

3
12

1
4

We can divide the top and bottom of a fraction by the same number (not zero)
without altering the value of the fraction.
1
1
and are said to be in their lowest terms (there is no number
4
3
other than 1 which will divide into the top and bottom).
Fractions like

Examples
1.

2.

4
to its lowest terms.
6
Both numbers will divide by 2
4y2 2
6y2 3
Reduce

Sometimes it may be necessary to divide more than once.

Reduce

42
to its lowest terms.
56
42 y 7
56 y 7

6
8

Both numbers will divide by 2

6y2 3
8y2 4

Part 1 Section 4

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IWCF UK Branch Distance Learning Programme DRILLING CALCULATIONS

Example
Find some equivalent fractions for
1u 2
2u 2

2
4

1u 4
2u 4

4
8

1u 8
2u8

8
16

1
2

1 2 4 8
are all equivalent fractions
2 4 8 16

Part 1 Section 4

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IWCF UK Branch Distance Learning Programme DRILLING CALCULATIONS

Try some yourself . . . Exercise 1.19

1.

2.

Draw sketches to show that;

a.

4
5

8
10

b.

2
3

4
6

c.

3
4

9
12

Fill in the missing numbers.

1
4
5
b.
6
2
c.
3
4
d.
5
a.

3.

?
20
?
12
?
6
?
20

Reduce the following to their lowest terms.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Part 1 Section 4

4
6
5
20
15
25
5
15
9
18
56
64

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