5'3 Equivalent Fractions

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5.3 Equivalent Fractions
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Writing Equivalent Fractions
What is a fraction?
A number of the form a/b, where b can not equal 0.
a b
numerator
denominator
A fraction can represent part of a whole.
When 2 fractions represent the same number, they
are considered equivalent.
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More on Writing Equivalent Fractions.
If given the fraction 1 , you can write other
fractions that are equal to it. 3
1 3
2 6
Simply, multiply the top and bottom number by the
same number.
X 2


X 2
You can still keep the same fraction and make
more equivalent fractions by multiplying by a
different number.
1 3
4 12
X 4 X 4
Again, simply multiply by a different number.


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Now You Try!
Write 2 fractions that are equivalent to the
given fraction. Answers will vary.
1 4
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10

8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36
40
3 5
6 9 12 15 18 21 24
27 30

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
50
2 3
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
20

6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27
30
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Completing Equivalent Fractions
You will be asked to complete an equivalent
fraction by finding the missing piece.
x4
3 5
12 x
Simply, ask yourself how did I get from 3 to 12?
Then, whatever you multiplied by the top, do to
the bottom.

x4
X 20
Here, you ask yourself, how did I get from 24 to
12? Then, whatever you divided by the bottom,
you do to the top.
2
16 24
X 12

2
X 8
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Now You Try!
Copy and complete the statement.
2 5
4 7
6 x
X 21
15 20
3 x



X 15
X 12
X 4
(multiply by 3)
(multiply by 3)
(divide by 5)
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Simplifying Fractions
To simplify also means to reduce to lowest terms.
When you simplify, you are asking yourself if a
fraction is in lowest terms. In other words, can
any number go into both top and bottom number
equally?
Lets look at some examples
5 25
8 24
14 21
15 35
1 5
1 3
2 3
3 7
5
8
5
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