Grade 4 Fractions: Simplifying Fractions

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

1. Example 1

   Write 8/10 in simplest form

   1. Find the greatest number that divides both 8 and 10: it is 2.
   2. Divide the top and bottom by 2: 8 ÷ 2 = 4 and 10 ÷ 2 = 5.
   3. No number bigger than 1 divides both 4 and 5, so 4/5 is in simplest form.
   4. So 8/10 = 4/5.

   Answer: 4/5

2. Example 2

   Write 1 6/10 in simplest form

   1. Keep the whole number 1 and simplify the fraction part, 6/10.
   2. Find the greatest number that divides both 6 and 10: it is 2.
   3. Divide the top and bottom by 2: 6 ÷ 2 = 3 and 10 ÷ 2 = 5.
   4. No number bigger than 1 divides both 3 and 5, so 3/5 is in simplest form.
   5. So 1 6/10 = 1 3/5.

   Answer: 1 3/5

3. Example 3

   Write 90/100 in simplest form

   1. Find the greatest number that divides both 90 and 100: it is 10.
   2. Divide the top and bottom by 10: 90 ÷ 10 = 9 and 100 ÷ 10 = 10.
   3. No number bigger than 1 divides both 9 and 10, so 9/10 is in simplest form.
   4. So 90/100 = 9/10.

   Answer: 9/10