Equivalent Fractions (Cambridge O Level Maths): Revision Note

How do I find equivalent fractions?

• “Splitting into 2 parts, then taking 1 part” is the same as “splitting into 4 parts, then taking 2 parts”
  •  is the same as  
  • Similarly, is the same as , or  , or  etc
• Equivalent fractions are two fractions that represent the same amount (they are different ways of writing the same thing)
• To make equivalent fractions, multiply the top and bottom of a fraction by the same number
  •  is equivalent to  and  and  …etc
  • For each fraction, there are an infinite number of equivalent fractions!

How do I simplify fractions?

• If both the numerator and denominator can be divided by the same number (called a common factor), the fraction can be simplified (made easier)
• To simplify the fraction, divide the top and bottom by the common factor

• • 
  • 
  • This process is also called cancelling a fraction
  • The simplified fraction is an equivalent fraction
• A fully simplified fraction is the simplest equivalent fraction that can be made using whole numbers on top and bottom