Reducing Fractions Worksheets
Reducing a fraction puts the numerator and denominator in its lowest terms. This means that they remain in the same equivalent ratio, they just have a common factor removed from them. We will do this to fractions often to help provide us with values that are easier to perform operations with. I like to have my students get in the habit of always simplifying. I find that by requiring students to always reduce any fractions that they are working make this skill come much easier for students. Not to mention that it is a very proactive strategy that will come in very handy when they take geometry and trigonometry. These worksheets show students how to reduce or simplify fractions to their lowest terms.
Aligned Standard: 3.NF.A.3c
- Crazy 8s Step-by-Step Lesson- The title kind of gave away what the common denominator is.
- Guided Lesson - Relatively simple reductions for you to play with.
- Guided Lesson Explanation - As my students always said, two steps to glory on these.
- Use the Blocks To Solve Reductions - A very unique way to look the problems and find equivalent fractions.
- Practice Worksheet - A simple way to dissolve the number in each.
- Matching Worksheet - Find the matching reduced fraction.
- Simplifying In A Pattern Worksheet - A really good math habit to get into.
- Practicing With Simplifying - A really neat way to see both fractions as equals.
- Shade and Reduce Lesson and Practice - Shade all the boxes to reflect the fraction that you are given.
- Simplify Large Fractions Worksheet - Larger fractions for you to play with.
- Simplifying Lesson - This is a really good way to see the fraction up close and personal.
- Simplifying Visual Fractions Worksheet - We extend our knowledge of the next concept in the pipeline.
- Answer Keys - These are for all the unlocked materials above.
Homework Sheets
We give you some heavy fraction. Lighten them up for us!
- Homework 1 - Reduce the fractions to their lowest form.
- Homework 2 - Rewrite these in their simplest form.
- Homework 3 - Find the greatest number that divides into both the numerator and the denominator.
Practice Worksheets
Each sheet is slightly more difficult than the previous one in this set.
- Practice 1 - Which one works best for all of them?
- Practice 2 - A straight up practice worksheet.
- Practice 3 - You can really get after this one.
Math Skill Quizzes
See if you can see the pattern in sheet number two. That was totally unintentional.
How Do You Reduce a Fraction?
Have you ever wondered how come the different looking fractions turns out to be the equivalent? Well, the truth is they are not actually different. They do look different, but they actually represent the same number/answer. To make it simpler for you, the different fractions might be the reduced term. You will often need to reduce fractions to make them easier to work with and position you better for working with them in an operational capacity.
Follow these simple steps to reduce fractions quickly:
1. Reduce them the normal way: Break down the numerators and denominators by identifying a common factor that exists between them. Once you find a factor that fits into the top and bottom number, remove it by dividing both by it.
2. Cross the common factors that appear in both numerator and denominator. Now multiply the remaining numbers, if any, to get the reduced form.
3. Use the informal approach to reduce the fractions. If both the top and bottom numbers are divisible by 2, divide them by 2 to make them if both the numbers are even.
4. Repeat the above step until the numbers are no longer divisible by the same number.
5. You will get the reduced form of the fraction.
Quick Tips for Simplifying Fractions
When we are trying to bring the value of the numerator and denominator back to Earth there are some things we should keep under consideration. One of the most recognizable strategies is to use the Greatest Common Factor (GCF). Using this value, you would just divide it into the numerator and denominator. You could also take an easier, but more time-consuming approach by finding the smallest value that could be divided into both the numerator and denominator and just keep plugging away until you could not do that anymore. Prime factor trees can also be helpful, you would create one for the top and then the bottom. You would just cross out matching factors and find the product of the remaining factors. You could also process this calculation by listing all the factors which would help you find the GCF. This kind of an adaptation to the first method that we discussed, but it is not always that obvious for most people. With which ever strategy you find to have the most affinity to, the more practice you get with it, the less friction you will have with it.