Summary 153 Section 2.3 Simplifying Fractions to Lowest Terms Key Concepts Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same portion of a whole unit. To determine if two fractions are equivalent, calculate the cross products. If the cross products are equal, then the fractions are equivalent. To simplify fractions to lowest terms, use the fundamental principle of fractions: ab Consider the fraction and the nonzero number c. Then a c b c a b c c a b 1 a b To simplify fractions with common powers of 10, “strike through” the common zeros first. Examples Example 1 Example 2 a. Compare b. Compare 20 18 40 40 Fractions are Fractions are not equivalent equivalent Example 3 Example 4 3, 0 0 0 12, 0 0 0 3 12 3 1 12 4 1 4 25 15 5 5 3 5 5 3 5 5 5 3 1 5 3 8 10 4 5 6 4 5 3 4 5 and 8 10 . 5 3 and 6 4 . 1 4 2 8
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