How to simplify algebraic fraction? such as..:

(4a +8b)/(6a+12b)4a+8b6a+12b

2 Answers
Mar 26, 2016

2/3 23

Explanation:

Factor both numerator and denominator and 'cancel' any common factors.

(4a + 8b)/(6a+ 12b) = (4(a + 2b))/(6(a + 2b)) 4a+8b6a+12b=4(a+2b)6(a+2b)

(a + 2b) is a common factor rArr (4cancel((a+2b))) /(6cancel((a+2b))

rArr (4a+8b)/(6a+12b) = 4/6 = 2/3

Apr 8, 2018

2/3

Explanation:

To simplify any algebraic fraction, we factorise the top and bottom terms to find anything common so that the terms cancel out:

Factorising:

4a+8b -> 4(a+2b)

6a+12b -> 6(a+2b)

Putting factorised form into algebraic fraction:

(4a + 8b)/(6a+ 12b) -> (4(a + 2b))/(6(a + 2b))

Since there is (a+2b) in both terms, they cancel out.

-> (4cancel((a+2b))) /(6cancel((a+2b))

-> 4/6

-> 2/3