Changing the Form but Not the Meaning of a Fraction
Creating Equivalent Fractions
This lesson assumes you know how to completely factor a number.
It looks at two basic ways of changing the form of a fraction.
1.
Multiplying by a form of the number "1"
2.
Reducing a fraction
This lesson also goes over proper and improper fractions.
Proper Fraction -
A proper fraction has a numerator (top number)
smaller than the denominator (bottom number).
Example:
Improper Fraction -
2
3
An improper fraction has a numerator equal to or
larger than the denominator.
Example:
7
5
Improper fractions can also be rewritten as
Mixed number:
7
2
= 1
5
5
Decimal number:
7
= 1.4
5
Mean the
Same,
but have a
Different
Form
Follow these steps to reduce a fraction:
Step 1:
Completely factor the numerator and the
denominator.
Step 2:
Cancel common factors
Step 3:
Multiply remaining factors in the numerator, and
then multiply remaining factors in the denominator.
Click the video link to learn more about creating equivalent fractions and reducing
fractions. Then continue with the practice problems on the next page.
Practice Problems Practice Problems
Fill in the correct value for the numerator or denominator to create an
equivalent fraction.
1.
7
8
=
2.
2
5
=
3.
2
3
=
4.
1
5
=
24
18
36
7
Reduce the following fractions.
5.
15
20
6.
27
45
7.
34
51
Answers to Practice Problems Answers to Practice Problems
1.
7
8
=
2.
2
5
=
3.
2
3
=
4.
1
5
=
5.
15
20
=
3•5
2•2•5
=
3•5
2•2•5
=
3
4
6.
27
45
=
3• 3•3
3• 3•5
=
3•3• 3
3•3• 5
=
3
5
=
2 •17
3•17
7.
34
51
21
24
18
45
24
36
7
35
=
2•17
3•17
=
2
3