What is the difference between 3/4 and 3/10

First, we'll find the smallest number that can be divided by both denominators. We call that the lowest common denominator. Using a multiplication table makes this easy.

All of the numbers on the 8 row can be divided evenly by 8. We can use the multiplication table again. All of the numbers in the 6 row can be divided evenly by 6. Let's compare the two rows. It looks like there are a few numbers that can be divided evenly by both 6 and 8.

Now we're going to change our fractions so they both have the same denominator: In order to change the denominator to Since we multiplied the denominator by 3 , we'll also multiply the numerator, or top number, by 3. Since any number times 1 is equal to itself We also changed its denominator to Our old denominator was 6. To get 24 , we multiplied 6 by 4. Now that the denominators are the same, we can compare the two fractions by looking at their numerators. If you did the math or even just looked at the picture, you might have been able to tell that they're equal.

One-half is easier to say than four-eighths , and for most people it's also easier to understand. After all, when you eat out with a friend, you split the bill in half , not in eighths. When we reduce a fraction, we're writing it in a simpler form. Reduced fractions are always equal to the original fraction. These fractions are all equal. Click through the slideshow to learn how to reduce fractions by dividing.

Since the numerator and denominator are even numbers , you can divide them by 2 to reduce the fraction. First, we'll divide the numerator by 2. Next, we'll divide the denominator by 2. If the numerator and denominator can still be divided by 2 , we can continue reducing the fraction. While the numerator is even, the denominator is an odd number , so we can't reduce by dividing by 2. Instead, we'll need to find a number that 6 and 9 can be divided by. A multiplication table will make that number easy to find.

Let's find 6 and 9 on the same row. As you can see, 6 and 9 can both be divided by 1 and 3. Dividing by 1 won't change these fractions, so we'll use the largest number that 6 and 9 can be divided by.

That's 3. This is called the greatest common divisor , or GCD. You can also call it the greatest common factor , or GCF. So we'll divide the numerator by 3. Then we'll divide the denominator by 3. Not all fractions can be reduced. Some are already as simple as they can be. For that reason, you can't reduce any fraction that has a numerator of 1. Some fractions that have larger numbers can't be reduced either. If you can't find any common multiples for the numbers in a fraction, chances are it's irreducible.

How do you solve fractions step by step? In the following intermediate step, the fraction result cannot be further simplified by canceling. Rules for expressions with fractions: Fractions - simply use a forward slash between the numerator and denominator, i. If you are using mixed numbers, be sure to leave a single space between the whole and fraction part. The slash separates the numerator number above a fraction line and denominator number below.

Mixed numerals mixed fractions or mixed numbers write as integer separated by one space and fraction i.