By either multiplying or dividing both numerator and denominator by the same amount, the fraction is left unchanged in value.

e.g.

(Multiplying by 2)

e.g.

(Multiplying by 4)

The above two examples can be illustrated by the following diagrams, whose shaded portions are all equal in size.

Question A4.1

Try these, writing both the top and bottom of the fraction with the smallest possible whole numbers:

Click on the calculation in sequence to reveal the answer.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)