INSTRUCTIONS

Rename to Lowest Terms uses circles to demonstrate how a fraction can be renamed in lowest terms.

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

When the program starts, you will see a fraction in higher terms. 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 18. The largest number that divides evenly into both 6 and 18 is 6. Six (6) is the greatest common factor of 6 and 18.

The numerator of the second fraction is 1 because 6 divided by 6 is 1.
The denominator of the second fraction is 3 because 18 divided by 6 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, a second circle will appear. The two circles represent the same amount. Although there are less parts in the second circle, the parts are larger, making the two fractions equivalent.

The fraction on the right is in lowest terms because there is no number larger than 1 that can divide evenly into both the numerator and the denominator,