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Simplifying fractions
Lesson: Simplifying Fractions
Year 7 – LearnPress lesson content with examples and practice, following the UK curriculum.
1. What does it mean to simplify a fraction?
Simplifying a fraction means writing it in its simplest form. This happens when the numerator and denominator cannot be divided by any number other than 1.
This is also called reducing a fraction.
Example:
6/8 simplified = 3/4 (because both 6 and 8 can be divided by 2)
2. Steps to simplify a fraction
Step 1 — Find the Highest Common Factor (HCF)
The HCF is the biggest number that divides both the numerator and denominator.
Step 2 — Divide the numerator and denominator by the HCF
Example:
Simplify 18/24
HCF of 18 and 24 is 6.
18 ÷ 6 = 3, 24 ÷ 6 = 4
So, 18/24 = 3/4
3. Visual idea (Why simplifying works)
When you simplify a fraction, the size does not change. Only the numbers look smaller, but the fraction still represents the same part of the whole.
4/10 and 2/5 represent the same amount.
4. Common HCFs for Year 7
These pairs often appear in questions. Knowing their HCF helps you simplify faster:
- 6 and 9 → HCF = 3
- 8 and 12 → HCF = 4
- 10 and 25 → HCF = 5
- 15 and 20 → HCF = 5
- 16 and 24 → HCF = 8
5. Practice
- Simplify
12/18. - Simplify
25/35. - Simplify
14/21. - Simplify
40/50. - Write
36/48in its simplest form.
Answers (teacher)
12/18 = 2/325/35 = 5/714/21 = 2/340/50 = 4/536/48 = 3/4