Download How to divide and simplify fractions

Dividing Fractions
1
2
3
5
Don't change
Flip
1
2
5
3
=
1
2
5
Mixed numeral
8 3
X
=
Change the mixed
numeral to an
improper fraction
Mixed numeral
3
Multiply
1
2
1x5
2x3
8
=
1
Improper
fraction
5
1
7
2
Improper
fraction
7
=
2
Flip the second fraction,
then multiply
Change the whole
number to an
improper fraction
2x 3+1
=
2
Improper
fraction
5
6
=
=
Multiply
X
2
7
Multiply
X
1
5
=
16
7
=
7
10
Mixed numeral
Improper
fraction
Flip
8
1
Flip
2
=
Reduce by
dividing 7 into 16
2
7
7 ) 16
– 14
2
"Reducing" or "Simplifying" Fractions
The last step in doing a fraction problem is to reduce the answer if possible. Look for two things:
if the top is greater than the bottom, or the top and bottom can be divided by the same number.
Easy:
Improper
even numbers
4
6
2
2
=
2
3
fives
15
25
5
5
=
3
5
zeroes
10
20
10
=
10
1
2
five and zero
15
20
5
5
=
3
4
Improper fraction
(the top is greater
than the bottom)
16
7
=
Mixed Numeral
Reduce by dividing
the bottom into the
top
7 ) 16
=
Mixed numeral
2
2
7
2
6
9
Two steps:
Improper
24
9
=
9 ) 24
Joel Harrison 2004
=
3
3
=
2
2
3