Dividing by Common Factors

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 103 views

Introduction

Simplifying fractions is an essential skill in mathematics, and it's a crucial step in solving various mathematical problems. In this article, we will explore the concept of simplifying fractions, and we will use a quiz to demonstrate how to simplify fractions by dividing by common factors.

What are Fractions?

A fraction is a way of expressing a part of a whole. It consists of two numbers: a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number). The numerator represents the number of equal parts we have, and the denominator represents the total number of parts the whole is divided into.

Simplifying Fractions

Simplifying fractions involves reducing a fraction to its simplest form by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). The GCD is the largest number that divides both the numerator and the denominator without leaving a remainder.

Dividing by Common Factors

To simplify a fraction, we need to find the common factors of the numerator and the denominator. A common factor is a number that divides both the numerator and the denominator without leaving a remainder. Once we have found the common factors, we can divide both the numerator and the denominator by the greatest common factor to simplify the fraction.

Simplifying the Fraction $\frac{9}{27}$

Let's use the fraction $\frac{9}{27}$ as an example. To simplify this fraction, we need to find the common factors of 9 and 27.

Common Factors of 9 and 27

The factors of 9 are: 1, 3, 9 The factors of 27 are: 1, 3, 9, 27

As we can see, the common factors of 9 and 27 are 1, 3, and 9.

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The greatest common factor of 9 and 27 is 9.

Simplifying the Fraction

Now that we have found the GCF, we can simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the GCF.

$\frac{9}{27} = \frac{9 \div 9}{27 \div 9} = \frac{1}{3}$

Therefore, the simplified form of the fraction $\frac{9}{27}$ is $\frac{1}{3}$ .

Quiz: Dividing by Common Factors

Now it's your turn to try! Simplify the following fractions by dividing by common factors:

A. $\frac{4}{10}$ B. $\frac{9}{21}$ C. $\frac{3}{9}$

A. $\frac{4}{10}$

The factors of 4 are: 1, 2, 4 The factors of 10 are: 1, 2, 5, 10

The common factors of 4 and 10 are 1 and 2.

The greatest common factor of 4 and 10 is 2.

$\frac{4}{10} = \frac{4 \div 2}{10 \div 2} = \frac{2}{5}$

Therefore, the simplified form of the fraction $\frac{4}{10}$ is $\frac{2}{5}$ .

B. $\frac{9}{21}$

The factors of 9 are: 1, 3, 9 The factors of 21 are: 1, 3, 7, 21

The common factors of 9 and 21 are 1 and 3.

The greatest common factor of 9 and 21 is 3.

$\frac{9}{21} = \frac{9 \div 3}{21 \div 3} = \frac{3}{7}$

Therefore, the simplified form of the fraction $\frac{9}{21}$ is $\frac{3}{7}$ .

C. $\frac{3}{9}$

The factors of 3 are: 1, 3 The factors of 9 are: 1, 3, 9

The common factors of 3 and 9 are 1 and 3.

The greatest common factor of 3 and 9 is 3.

$\frac{3}{9} = \frac{3 \div 3}{9 \div 3} = \frac{1}{3}$

Therefore, the simplified form of the fraction $\frac{3}{9}$ is $\frac{1}{3}$ .

Conclusion

Q: What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

A: The greatest common factor (GCF) is the largest number that divides both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction without leaving a remainder.

Q: How do I find the GCF of two numbers?

A: To find the GCF of two numbers, you can list the factors of each number and find the largest factor that they have in common.

Q: What is the difference between a factor and a multiple?

A: A factor is a number that divides another number without leaving a remainder, while a multiple is a number that can be divided by another number without leaving a remainder.

Q: How do I simplify a fraction?

A: To simplify a fraction, you need to find the GCF of the numerator and the denominator and divide both numbers by the GCF.

Q: What is the simplified form of the fraction $\frac{12}{18}$ ?

A: To simplify the fraction $\frac{12}{18}$ , we need to find the GCF of 12 and 18. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, while the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18. The GCF of 12 and 18 is 6. Therefore, the simplified form of the fraction $\frac{12}{18}$ is $\frac{12 \div 6}{18 \div 6} = \frac{2}{3}$ .

Q: Can I simplify a fraction if the numerator and denominator have no common factors?

A: No, you cannot simplify a fraction if the numerator and denominator have no common factors. In this case, the fraction is already in its simplest form.

Q: How do I know if a fraction is in its simplest form?

A: A fraction is in its simplest form if the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

Q: Can I simplify a fraction with a negative numerator or denominator?

A: Yes, you can simplify a fraction with a negative numerator or denominator. The process is the same as for positive numerators and denominators.

Q: What is the simplified form of the fraction $-\frac{15}{25}$ ?

A: To simplify the fraction $-\frac{15}{25}$ , we need to find the GCF of 15 and 25. The factors of 15 are 1, 3, 5, and 15, while the factors of 25 are 1, 5, and 25. The GCF of 15 and 25 is 5. Therefore, the simplified form of the fraction $-\frac{15}{25}$ is $-\frac{15 \div 5}{25 \div 5} = -\frac{3}{5}$ .

Q: Can I simplify a fraction with a zero numerator or denominator?

A: No, you cannot simplify a fraction with a zero numerator or denominator. In this case, the fraction is undefined.

Conclusion

Simplifying fractions is an essential skill in mathematics, and it's a crucial step in solving various mathematical problems. By understanding the concept of the greatest common factor (GCF) and how to find it, you can simplify fractions and express them in their simplest form. We hope this article has helped you understand the concept of simplifying fractions and how to apply it in real-world problems.