How can you use division to simplify a fraction?

1 Answer
Apr 19, 2016

You divide the numerator and denominator by a number

Explanation:

So you're trying to simplify a fraction

if that fraction is 10/20

find a whole number that can divide into the numerator and denominator.

if that whole number was 5, then we calculate 10/5=2 and 20/5=4

now the fraction is simplified to 2/4, but we can still simplify it.

now that whole number we're using to divide is 2, calculate 2/2=1 and 4/2=2

10/20 in its simplest form is 1/2

When we add both of those whole numbers 5+2 we get 7

if you tried evaluating 10/7 and 20/7 you wouldn't get a whole number for an answer, but 7 only fits into 10 once, and fits into 20 twice. so the simplest form of 10/20 must be 1/2.