Simplest Form of a Fraction

Table of Contents

• Properties of Fractions
• Simplification of Fractions
  • Using HCF
  • Without Using HCF
• Summary
• Did You Know?
• What’s Next?

In the previous segment of Class 6 Maths, we learnt about Equivalent fractions. Here let us learn about the simplest form of a fraction.

Properties of a fraction

Property 1

If the numerator and denominator of a fraction are multiplied by the same number, then the value of the fraction remains unchanged.

For example, consider 2

.

3

If the numerator and denominator of this fraction are multiplied by 2, we get 2×2 = 4.

Here, the fractions 2 and 4 have equal values.

3×2 6

3 6

Similarly, let us multiply the numerator and the denominator of 2 by 3. We will get 2×3 = 6

.

3

Here, the fractions 2 and 6 have equal values.

3×3 9

3

Thus we can say 2 , 4

3 6

9

, and all have equal values.

6

9

Property 2

If the numerator and denominator of a fraction are divided by the same number, then the value of the fraction remains unchanged.