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Cancelling fractions
Sometimes you can divide the top and bottom of a fraction by the same number. This is called cancelling down. It is also called simplifying the fraction. You often have to write a fraction in its simplest terms. This means that you have to cancel it down until it cannot be canceled down any more
- Question
Write this fraction in its simplest form:
- Answer
Dividing by 4:
You could do this in two stages.
Dividing top and bottom by 2, to get 6/8.
Then dividing the top and bottom by 2 again, to get 3/4.
When you have worked out a fraction question, you should always cancel down the answer.
Links
On bbc.co.uk
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