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Secondary 2 · Mathematics
Numbers · Rational numbers

Fractions. Equivalent Fractions

Before you start, make sure you know: Greatest common factor (Secondary Year 1)
Before you start, make sure you know: Concept (Secondary Year 1)

Two friends play on their phones. Diego has beaten $42$ of the $60$ levels in his game. Ximena plays a different game with $90$ levels and has made the same proportion of progress. How many levels has Ximena beaten? To solve it, you need to master equivalent fractions.

What is a fraction

A fraction $\frac{a}{b}$ says that a whole was divided into $b$ equal parts and $a$ of them were taken. The numerator is $a$ and the denominator is $b$.

A chocolate bar with $12$ squares of which $9$ were eaten is represented by $\frac{9}{12}$. But you could also see it as $4$ blocks of $3$ squares, and then $3$ of the $4$ blocks were eaten: $\frac{3}{4}$. It is the same amount written two ways.

Fractions on the number line

A fraction is also a point on the line. Mark $0$ and $1$ and divide the segment between them into as many equal parts as the denominator indicates. Then count, starting from $0$, as many parts as the numerator indicates.

If you use a unit of $8$ small squares, each small square is $\frac{1}{8}$. Then $\frac{1}{2}$ lands on small square $4$; $\frac{2}{4}$ lands on $4$ (two fourths are $2 \times 2 = 4$ eighths); and $\frac{4}{8}$ lands on $4$. All three fractions land on the same point, and that is why they are equivalent.

Number line from 0 to 1 divided into eight equal parts; the fractions 1/2, 2/4 and 4/8 are placed at the same point, the midpoint. 0 1 4/8 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8
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In a chocolate bar like the one in the picture, we have eaten the pieces shaded in orange. a) Write down the fraction representing the pieces eaten relative to the whole…

In a chocolate bar like the one in the picture, we have eaten the pieces shaded in orange.

  1. a) Write down the fraction representing the pieces eaten relative to the whole bar.
  2. b) Simplify the fraction above to its simplest form.
Solve
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Look at the following rectangles of equal size. The first is divided into $4$ equal parts and the second into $8$ equal parts. a) Write down the shaded fraction of…

Look at the following rectangles of equal size. The first is divided into $4$ equal parts and the second into $8$ equal parts.

Figure A Figure B =
  1. a) Write down the shaded fraction of Figure A.
  2. b) Write down the shaded fraction of Figure B.
  3. c) Are they equivalent? Justify your answer by looking at the diagram and carrying out the calculation.
Solve
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Draw a number line in your notebook (mark 0 and 1, and use a unit that is big enough, for example 8 small squares) and represent the following fractions on it. Show…

Draw a number line in your notebook (mark 0 and 1, and use a unit that is big enough, for example 8 small squares) and represent the following fractions on it. Show graphically that they are equivalent by observing that they are all located at the same point on the line:

$$\dfrac{1}{2}, \dfrac{2}{4}, \dfrac{4}{8}$$

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve

Equivalent fractions and cross products

Two fractions are equivalent if they represent the same amount, even though they are written with different numbers.

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In a video game, you collected $45$ coins out of a total of $60$ available in the level. On the other hand, your brother collected $15$ out of a total of $20$ in his…

In a video game, you collected $45$ coins out of a total of $60$ available in the level. On the other hand, your brother collected $15$ out of a total of $20$ in his game.

Use the cross-products rule to check whether the two fractions of coins collected are equivalent.

Solve
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Two graphic designers are working with grids to create a logo. The first designer has shaded $\frac{12}{20}$ of their grid, while the second has shaded $\frac{18}{30}$…

Two graphic designers are working with grids to create a logo. The first designer has shaded $\frac{12}{20}$ of their grid, while the second has shaded $\frac{18}{30}$ of theirs. Look at the following graphic representations and explain whether both have shaded the same proportion of area, by checking whether the fractions are equivalent.

Two rectangular grids: the first with 20 cells, 12 of them shaded in blue, and the second with 30 cells, 18 of them shaded in green 12 20 18 30
Solve
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An influencer analyses the impact of their videos. In the first one, they got $36$ "likes" for every $80$ views. In the second one, they got $45$ "likes" for every $100$…

An influencer analyses the impact of their videos. In the first one, they got $36$ "likes" for every $80$ views. In the second one, they got $45$ "likes" for every $100$ views. Use the cross-multiplication rule to determine if the success rate is equivalent in both videos.

Solve

Getting equivalent fractions and simplifying

Two equal bars: one divided into five parts with two shaded (2/5) and another into fifteen parts with six shaded (6/15), when multiplying by three. 2/5 6/15 (× 3)
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A group of friends is comparing the success of their social media posts. Lucía says that $2$ out of every $5$ followers liked her latest photo. a) Write down the…

A group of friends is comparing the success of their social media posts. Lucía says that $2$ out of every $5$ followers liked her latest photo.

  1. a) Write down the fraction of "likes" for Lucía.
  2. b) Find an equivalent fraction by multiplying both terms by $3$.
  3. c) Find another equivalent fraction if Lucía had a total of $50$ followers.
Solve
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In the school library, the librarian tells us that $\frac{12}{30}$ of the books are adventure books. Help him simplify this fraction to put on a poster: a) Divide the…

In the school library, the librarian tells us that $\frac{12}{30}$ of the books are adventure books. Help him simplify this fraction to put on a poster:

  1. a) Divide the numerator and the denominator by $2$.
  2. b) Divide the previous result by $3$.
  3. c) Is the fraction obtained in part b in its simplest form? Why?
Solve
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Simplify the following fractions to their simplest form. To do this, use the method of dividing the numerator and denominator by their highest common factor (HCF): a)…

Simplify the following fractions to their simplest form. To do this, use the method of dividing the numerator and denominator by their highest common factor (HCF):

  1. a) $\dfrac{126}{180}$
  1. b) $\dfrac{210}{315}$
  1. c) $\dfrac{154}{198}$
Solve

Finding the unknown term

Diagram of the cross product used to solve for the unknown term. 42/60 = x/90 42 · 90 = 60 · x x = 63

Back to the beginning: Ximena beat $63$ levels.

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Copy into your notebook and complete the missing value in each case so that the pairs of fractions are equivalent: a) $\frac{1}{3} = \frac{\Box}{12}$ b)…

Copy into your notebook and complete the missing value in each case so that the pairs of fractions are equivalent:

  1. a) $\frac{1}{3} = \frac{\Box}{12}$
  1. b) $\frac{10}{15} = \frac{2}{\Box}$
  1. c) $\frac{\Box}{7} = \frac{20}{28}$
Solve
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Find the value of the unknown $n$ in each of the following equalities so that the fractions are equivalent: a) $\dfrac{n}{15} = \dfrac{12}{45}$ b)…

Find the value of the unknown $n$ in each of the following equalities so that the fractions are equivalent:

  1. a) $\dfrac{n}{15} = \dfrac{12}{45}$
  1. b) $\dfrac{7}{n} = \dfrac{28}{36}$
  1. c) $\dfrac{10}{18} = \dfrac{25}{n}$
Solve
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Find the value of the unknown $n$ so that the following fractions are equivalent: $$\frac{n-3}{10} = \frac{42}{60}$$ Once you have found $n$, find another fraction…

Find the value of the unknown $n$ so that the following fractions are equivalent:

$$\frac{n-3}{10} = \frac{42}{60}$$

Once you have found $n$, find another fraction equivalent to the previous ones whose denominator is the square of $n$. Is it possible for the numerator of this last fraction to be a prime number? Justify your answer.

Solve

Recognizing equivalent fractions in a group

When you have a list, simplifying all of them to lowest terms is the surest way to see which ones are equivalent to each other.

Several fractions that reduce to three fifths grouped together, versus one that reduces to nine sixteenths. 6/10, 15/25, 24/40, 9/15 → all 3/5 18/32 → 9/16, different
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Identify, from the following list, which fractions are equivalent to $\frac{2}{3}$: $$\frac{4}{6}, \quad \frac{5}{9}, \quad \frac{10}{15}, \quad \frac{6}{8}, \quad…

Identify, from the following list, which fractions are equivalent to $\frac{2}{3}$:

$$\frac{4}{6}, \quad \frac{5}{9}, \quad \frac{10}{15}, \quad \frac{6}{8}, \quad \frac{20}{30}$$
Solve
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From the following fractions, identify which one does not belong to the group of equivalent fractions. Justify your answer by simplifying all of them to their simplest…

From the following fractions, identify which one does not belong to the group of equivalent fractions. Justify your answer by simplifying all of them to their simplest form.

$$\dfrac{6}{10}, \dfrac{15}{25}, \dfrac{24}{40}, \dfrac{18}{32}, \dfrac{9}{15}$$
Solve
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Find a fraction equivalent to $\frac{126}{198}$ that satisfies the following conditions simultaneously: 1. Its denominator is a number between $50$ and $100$. 2. The sum…

Find a fraction equivalent to $\frac{126}{198}$ that satisfies the following conditions simultaneously:

  1. Its denominator is a number between $50$ and $100$.

  2. The sum of the digits of the numerator and the sum of the digits of the denominator are each, separately, a multiple of $9$.

  3. It is a proper fraction.

Explain step by step the process of simplifying and expanding (multiplying) you followed to find it.

Solve

Problems with equivalent fractions

Many proportion problems are solved by writing two equivalent fractions: one with the data you know and another with the unknown.

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To make a fruit smoothie, the recipe states that we should use $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter of milk. If we want to make a larger quantity while maintaining the ratio, and…

To make a fruit smoothie, the recipe states that we should use $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter of milk. If we want to make a larger quantity while maintaining the ratio, and the new measuring cup marks eighths of a liter ($8$ parts):

Find the value of $x$ so that the fractions are equivalent:

$$\frac{3}{4} = \frac{x}{8}$$
Solve
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In an esports competition, one player has completed $42$ of the $60$ levels of a video game. Another player has completed the same proportion of levels, but the game…

In an esports competition, one player has completed $42$ of the $60$ levels of a video game. Another player has completed the same proportion of levels, but the game they are playing has a total of $90$ levels. How many levels has the second player completed? Solve this by finding the unknown term $x$ in the equivalent fractions equation.

Solve
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To carry out a chemistry experiment, a laboratory needs to mix liquids in a ratio of $\frac{3}{8}$. If they have a container with a total capacity of $120$ ml for the…

To carry out a chemistry experiment, a laboratory needs to mix liquids in a ratio of $\frac{3}{8}$. If they have a container with a total capacity of $120$ ml for the mixture, how much active liquid should they pour in if they want to maintain the same ratio? Represent the situation using two equivalent fractions where the denominator of the second is $120$.

Solve

Challenges with ratios and equivalent fractions

A fraction equivalent to $\frac{a}{b}$ always has the form $\frac{a \cdot k}{b \cdot k}$. If you put that form into the problem's data, you get an equation with a single unknown, $k$.

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In a robotics competition, two robots must cover the same distance, from the Start to the Finish. The first robot has completed $\frac{42}{105}$ of the course. The…

In a robotics competition, two robots must cover the same distance, from the Start to the Finish. The first robot has completed $\frac{42}{105}$ of the course. The second robot has covered a fraction equivalent to the previous one, but its numerator and denominator are natural numbers whose sum is exactly $112$.

What fraction of the course has the second robot covered? Justify whether both robots are at the same point on the track and calculate the irreducible fraction that represents the position of both.

Two identical tracks between the Start and the Finish: robot A is at 42/105 of the course and the position of robot B, of the form N/D with N + D = 112, is yet to be determinedStartFinishRobot A: 42/105 of the courseRobot B: N/D of the course, with N + D = 11201
Solve
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An interface designer is working on the resolution of a new screen. The aspect ratio is $16:9$ (which means that for every $16$ units of width there are $9$ of height).…

An interface designer is working on the resolution of a new screen. The aspect ratio is $16:9$ (which means that for every $16$ units of width there are $9$ of height). Draw the diagram in your notebook. If the width of the screen is defined by a number $x$ and the height by a number $y$, find the values of $x$ and $y$ knowing that:

  • $\frac{x}{y}$ is equivalent to $\frac{16}{9}$.

  • The area of the rectangle formed ($x \times y$) is $576$ square units.

  • $x$ and $y$ must be natural numbers.

Area = 576 u² x · y = 576 x 16 parts y 9 parts 16:9 x y = 16 9

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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Given the fraction $\frac{A}{B}$, we know it is equivalent to $\frac{4}{7}$. If we add $12$ units to the numerator, for the new fraction to be equivalent to the original…

Given the fraction $\frac{A}{B}$, we know it is equivalent to $\frac{4}{7}$. If we add $12$ units to the numerator, for the new fraction to be equivalent to the original one, the denominator must increase by $21$ units.

Prove whether this statement is true for any initial value of $A$ and $B$ that maintains the ratio $\frac{4}{7}$. Next, find a fraction equivalent to $\frac{4}{7}$ such that the product of its terms ($A \times B$) is $700$.

Solve

Review: operations with fractions

Equivalent fractions are useful for adding and subtracting: you can only add or subtract parts of the same size, that is, with the same denominator.

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In a strategy video game, a character's health is represented by a bar. Currently, the character has $\frac{15}{24}$ of their total health. The player consumes a potion…

In a strategy video game, a character's health is represented by a bar. Currently, the character has $\frac{15}{24}$ of their total health. The player consumes a potion that increases current health by an amount such that the new fraction of health is equivalent to $\frac{11}{12}$ of total health.

If the denominator of the total health (maximum capacity) is $120$ points, how many health points exactly did the character recover with the potion? Express all fractions in the problem with a denominator of $120$ before solving it.

15/24 Potion (?) 11/12 120 Points (TOTAL)
Solve
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Three siblings share the cash prize of a mathematics competition as follows: the oldest receives $\frac{24}{60}$ of the total, the middle one receives a fraction…

Three siblings share the cash prize of a mathematics competition as follows: the oldest receives $\frac{24}{60}$ of the total, the middle one receives a fraction equivalent to $\frac{18}{45}$, and the youngest gets the remainder.

  1. Calculate the simplest form fraction of what each of the two older siblings receives.

  2. Who receives more money, the oldest or the middle sibling?

  3. What fraction of the total does the youngest sibling receive? Is it greater or less than their siblings' shares?

Solve

Summary

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