Simplify a fraction
simplify-fraction · skill · prompt: Simplify {x}/{y}.
| Method | Idea | Best when | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|
Divide by the GCF gcf |
Find the greatest common factor once and divide both terms by it. | You can spot the GCF. | — |
Divide out common factors repeatedly repeated |
Keep dividing both terms by any shared factor (2, 3, 5, …) until none is left. | The numbers are large and the GCF isn’t obvious. | — |
Each graph starts at the question and branches at × Which first step? into every first step a student might write. Methods that share a first step meet there and split at × Which next step?. Each route then follows its method to the answer. The legend at the bottom of each graph explains the shapes.
Simplify 6/8.
Simplify 72/96.
