document.write( "Question 85929This question is from textbook Mathematics Made Simple
\n" ); document.write( ": 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.
\n" ); document.write( "Can you help me? Thanks very much, PJ \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #62167 by checkley75(3666)\"\" \"About 
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EXAMPLE 12/66=(2*6)/(6*6)=2/6=2/(2*3)=1/3
\n" ); document.write( "EXAMPLE 44/154=(11*4)/(11*14)=4/14=(2*2)/(2*7)=2/7
\n" ); document.write( "EXAMPLE 3/4+4/7 FIND A COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT 4 & 7 CAN BE DIVIDED INTO EVENLY.
\n" ); document.write( "4*7=28 IS SUCH A NUMBER FOR THE DENOMINATOR.
\n" ); document.write( "3/4=X/28 NOW CROSS MULTIPLY
\n" ); document.write( "4X=84
\n" ); document.write( "X=84/4
\n" ); document.write( "X=21 SO 3/4=21/28
\n" ); document.write( "4/7=X/28
\n" ); document.write( "7X=112
\n" ); document.write( "X=112/7
\n" ); document.write( "X=16 SO 4/7=16/28 NOW WE CAN ADD THESE FRACTIONS
\n" ); document.write( "21/28=16/28=37/28 OR 1 9/28 \n" ); document.write( "
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