SOLUTION: I am a 41-yr-old reviewing elementary school fractions. WOW! I've forgotton almost everything :( In simplifying and then multiflying fractions, I don't understand the process of "d

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Question 85929This question is from textbook Mathematics Made Simple
: I am a 41-yr-old reviewing elementary school fractions. WOW! I've forgotton almost everything :( In simplifying and then multiflying fractions, I don't understand the process of "dividing out" the prime factors. I do understand writing the numerator and the denominator as the product of prime factors, but the process and idea behind "dividing out" is still a mystery to me. I am working in the book "Math Made Simple" and it doesn't explain HOW to do it.
Can you help me? Thanks very much, PJThis question is from textbook Mathematics Made Simple

Answer by checkley75(3666) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
EXAMPLE 12/66=(2*6)/(6*6)=2/6=2/(2*3)=1/3
EXAMPLE 44/154=(11*4)/(11*14)=4/14=(2*2)/(2*7)=2/7
EXAMPLE 3/4+4/7 FIND A COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT 4 & 7 CAN BE DIVIDED INTO EVENLY.
4*7=28 IS SUCH A NUMBER FOR THE DENOMINATOR.
3/4=X/28 NOW CROSS MULTIPLY
4X=84
X=84/4
X=21 SO 3/4=21/28
4/7=X/28
7X=112
X=112/7
X=16 SO 4/7=16/28 NOW WE CAN ADD THESE FRACTIONS
21/28=16/28=37/28 OR 1 9/28