INSTRUCTIONS

The following equivalent fractions were made from Rename in Lowest Terms:

When the program starts, you will see a fraction in higher terms. In the above illustration, the fraction 6/9 is pointed to by the red arrow.

You are to write the fraction in lowest terms. To do so, think of the largest number that will divide evenly into both the numerator and the denominator. In the example above, the first fraction has a numerator of 6 and a denominator of 9. The largest number that divides evenly into both 6 and 9 is 3. Three (3) is the greatest common factor of 6 and 9.

The numerator of the second fraction is 2 because 6 divided by 3 is 2.
The denominator of the second fraction is 3 because 9 divided by 3 is 3.

 Written out, the example would look like this:

Another way to write the example is to divide the numerator by the greatest common factor and write the answer over the numerator. Then draw a line through the numerator. Do the same to the denominator, but write the answer under the denominator. This is known as canceling.

See How to Cancel, a short FLASH™ animation on canceling.

The example would then look like this if you cancel:

After an equivalent fraction in lowest terms is entered,  the number line for the second fraction will appear. The arrow along the second number line is the same distance as the first. Although there are less parts in the second number line, the parts are larger, making the two fractions equivalent.