Children at school learn the rules for reducing fractions in 6th grade. In this article, we will first tell you what this action means, then we will explain how to translate a reducible fraction into an irreducible one. The next item will be the rules for reducing fractions, and then we will gradually get to the examples.
What does it mean to "reduce a fraction"?
So, we all know that ordinary fractions are divided into two groups: reducible and irreducible. Already by the names it can be understood that those that are contractible are reduced, and those that are irreducible are not reduced.
Reducing a fraction means dividing its denominator and numerator by their (non-one) positive divisor. The result, of course, is a new fraction with a smaller denominator and numerator. The resulting fraction will be equal to the original fraction
It is worth noting that in math books with the task "reduce a fraction" this means that you need to bring the original fraction to this irreducible form. In simple terms, dividing the denominator and numerator by their greatest common divisor is a reduction.
How to reduce a fraction. Fraction Reduction Rules (Grade 6)
So there are only two rules here.
- First rule of fraction reduction: first you need to find the greatest common divisor of the denominator and numerator of your fraction.
- Second rule: Divide the denominator and numerator by the greatest common divisor to end up with an irreducible fraction.
How to reduce an improper fraction?
The rules for reducing fractions are identical to the rules for reducing improper fractions.
In order to reduce an improper fraction, first you need to paint the denominator and numerator into simple factors, and only then reduce the common factors.
Mixed fraction reduction
The rules for reducing fractions also apply to the reduction of mixed fractions. There is only a small difference: we can not touch the whole part, but reduce the fractional or mixed fraction to an improper one, then reduce and again convert to the correct fraction.
There are two ways to reduce mixed fractions.
First: divide the fractional part into prime factors and then leave the integer part.
Second way: first translate into an improper fraction, paint on the usual factors, then reduce the fraction. Convert the already obtained improper fraction to the correct one.
Examples can be seen in the photo above.
We really hope that we could help you and your children. After all, in the classroom they are very often inattentive, so they have toexercise more intensely at home on your own.
