Shows students how to simplify fractions step-by-step. Provides additional websites and helpful videos!

1. Simplifying Fractions Ms. Mangan Grade 4

2. What does it mean to simplify? Simplifying (or reducing) fractions means to make the fraction as simple as possible.

3. What does it mean to simplify? **Notice how the pizza left behind covers the same amount of space in all three pictures: 4/8 ==> 2/4 ==> 1/2 So even though the look fractions are different they are all equal OR equivalent (cover the same amount of space)

4. OK! But, how do I simplify fractions? STEP 1:Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom). ** Factors are all the numbers that can fit into the number evenly. EX. 8 8 = 1, 2, 4, 8 12 12 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 Which BIGGEST factor do 8 and 12 share?

5. STEP 2: Take the GCF and divide it by the numerator and denominator of your fraction. ÷ 4 8 2 12 = 3 ÷ 4

6. Helpful Videos  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JrORrjqLWs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU2xUdGoloo

7. More Practice!!! http://www.funbrain.com/fract/index.html http://www.homeschoolmath.net/online/fractions.php http://www.learningplanet.com/sam/ff/index.asp http://www.coolmath4kids.com/fractions/