The is no limit to the way a fraction can be expressed. Different looking fractions can represent the same value even if the numerators and denominators involved are multiples of tens or hundreds apart.
Vocabulary reminder
The word equivalent means equal in value. So if two fractions are equivalent, they represent the same value.
Example 1
The following fractions are equivalent:
103 and 20060
Showing equivalence
Using common denominators
One way to check whether two fractions are equivalent is to make the denominators the same before comparing numerators.
Example 2
Are the following fractions equivalent?
104 and 30090
To make both denominators the same, pick a common denominator. Here you can use 300:
104=10×304×30=300120
Now compare numerators.
As 90 and 120 are not equal, 104 and 30090are not equivalent fractions.
Simplifying fractions
Alternatively, simplifying fully will also tell you if two fractions are equivalent.
Example 3
Consider again the fractions:
103 and 20060
Their equivalence can be shown by fully simplifying each fraction. The first fraction is already fully simplified since there are no factors (other than 1) in common between the numerator and the denominator. The second fraction can be simplified. This can be done in steps: first divide the numerator and denominator by 2 and then by 10:
One way to check whether two fractions are equivalent is to make the denominators the same before comparing numerators. Alternatively, simplifying fully will also tell you if two fractions are equivalent.
What does equivalent mean?
In a mathematical context, the word equivalent means equal in value.
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