ILoveFractions Logo

Search I Love Fractions

Jump to any fraction tool, practice drill, game, or guide.

Simplifying Fractions Practice Problems with Answers

Five solved problems, then as many new ones as you want. Type your answer in lowest terms and get the steps when you finish.

Addition

Add fractions with like and unlike denominators

Subtraction

Subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators

Multiplication

Multiply fractions and mixed numbers

Division

Divide fractions and mixed numbers

Simplifying

Reduce fractions to lowest terms

Equivalent

Find the missing number

Comparing

Pick <, = or >

Mixed Numbers

Mixed numbers and improper fractions

5 simplifying fractions problems with answers

Each one shows the answer and the working. Try it yourself first, then check.

  1. 1.Simplify 6/8

    Answer: 3/4

    The greatest common factor of 6 and 8 is 2. Divide both by 2: 6 ÷ 2 = 3 and 8 ÷ 2 = 4.

    Open this problem in the calculator

  2. 2.Simplify 12/18

    Answer: 2/3

    The greatest common factor of 12 and 18 is 6. Divide both by 6: 12 ÷ 6 = 2 and 18 ÷ 6 = 3.

    Open this problem in the calculator

  3. 3.Simplify 20/45

    Answer: 4/9

    The greatest common factor of 20 and 45 is 5. Divide both by 5: 20 ÷ 5 = 4 and 45 ÷ 5 = 9.

    Open this problem in the calculator

  4. 4.Simplify 42/56

    Answer: 3/4

    The greatest common factor of 42 and 56 is 14. Divide both by 14: 42 ÷ 14 = 3 and 56 ÷ 14 = 4. Dividing by 2 first gives 21/28, which still simplifies by 7.

    Open this problem in the calculator

  5. 5.Simplify 16/12

    Answer: 4/3 (or 1 1/3)

    The greatest common factor of 16 and 12 is 4. Divide both by 4: 16 ÷ 4 = 4 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3. As a mixed number, 4/3 = 1 1/3.

    Open this problem in the calculator

Practice: simplify the fraction

Score: 0 / 0

 

How to simplify fractions

  1. Find the greatest common factor of the numerator and denominator.
  2. Divide both by that factor.
  3. Check that no number above 1 still divides both.

Easy problems use small denominators, so the common factor is usually 2 or 3. Hard problems hide factors like 7 or 9, so test those too. Stuck on one? The fraction simplifier shows the GCF and each step.

Simplifying fractions: common questions

Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator, then divide both by it. For 12/18 the GCF is 6, so 12/18 = 2/3. If you divide by a smaller common factor, just repeat until nothing above 1 divides both.

A fraction is in simplest form when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. 4/9 is simplest because 4 = 2 × 2 and 9 = 3 × 3 have nothing in common. 21/28 is not, because both divide by 7.

Yes, the same way: 16/12 simplifies to 4/3 by dividing both by 4. You can then write it as the mixed number 1 1/3 if your teacher asks for it.

No. Dividing the top and bottom by the same number is the same as dividing by 1, so 6/8 and 3/4 are the same amount. Simplifying only makes the numbers smaller.