The first thing to note is that there is more than one equivalent fraction to 5/6. For example, 10/12, 15/18, 20/24, 25/30, 30/36 can all be reduced to 5/6. To establish this you just multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number, this could be denoted as (5x)/(6x).
The reason this works is because any number divided by itself equals 1, so by multiplying both by the same number keeps the same ratio, which is the important factor.
Expressed as a decimal, 5/6 is equal to 0.83333 recurring.
Equivalent fractions are fractions that have the same value, even though they may appear different. If you divide or multiply the top and bottom by the same number and it keeps its value, what you do to the bottom, you must also do to the top. Once you have divided a fraction so that you can't go any lower you have simplified the fraction, in this instance 5/6 is the most simplified fraction. The numerator and denominator must always be a whole number, there should not be a remainder and you should never add or subtract in order to get an equivalent fraction.
One simple way to look at this is by taking a pizza as an example. The whole is the same size but you can cut it into different numbers of slices. If you cut it into four then two slices is half the pizza (assuming you are being fair with your cutting!). If you cut it into eight then four slices is half the pizza (but it is still the same amount of pizza!) This continues as long as you cut even amounts: 16, 32, 64 etc, although you may be ruining your pizza at this stage!
The reason this works is because any number divided by itself equals 1, so by multiplying both by the same number keeps the same ratio, which is the important factor.
Expressed as a decimal, 5/6 is equal to 0.83333 recurring.
Equivalent fractions are fractions that have the same value, even though they may appear different. If you divide or multiply the top and bottom by the same number and it keeps its value, what you do to the bottom, you must also do to the top. Once you have divided a fraction so that you can't go any lower you have simplified the fraction, in this instance 5/6 is the most simplified fraction. The numerator and denominator must always be a whole number, there should not be a remainder and you should never add or subtract in order to get an equivalent fraction.
One simple way to look at this is by taking a pizza as an example. The whole is the same size but you can cut it into different numbers of slices. If you cut it into four then two slices is half the pizza (assuming you are being fair with your cutting!). If you cut it into eight then four slices is half the pizza (but it is still the same amount of pizza!) This continues as long as you cut even amounts: 16, 32, 64 etc, although you may be ruining your pizza at this stage!
