# Math Help - simplify fractions

1. ## simplify fractions

if the fraction was

32
__ this would equil 32 . this is what i feel the answer would be.
32

if not, please explain.

thanks

Steven

2. Nope. The answer is one. Think of it like this, fractions are basically division, 32 divided by 32 is one. If the numerator and denominator are equal, then the answer is one (assuming that both the numerator and denominator are positive or both negative, if one is negative, the answer is -1). Also remember that 32 over 32 simplifies to 1 over 1, which is one. Now if the fraction was 32 over one, THEN the answer would be 32.

3. Having read previous postings I think it's worth mentioning that addition is basically counting. 1/2 + 1/2 means you have 2 (1/2)s
1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 means you have 3 (1/2)s
2 (1/2)s + 4 (1/2)s means you have 6 (1/2)s NOTICE THAT THE TOP NUMBER REPESENTS HOW MANY (the numerator) and the BOTTOM number represents what you are counting (the denominator)

1/2 + 1/3 means you have 1 (1/2) and 1 (1/3) not 2 (1/2)s 2 or (1/3)s or 2 (1/5)s. Its much like counting money. You CAN'T count 4 20pences and 1 10pence as the same as 5 20pence or 5 10pence.

As with money you can change what you are counting. For example: 1 20pence is the same as 4 5pence so that 4 20pence is the same as 16 5pences and 1 10pence is the same as 2 5pence. Notice now you can count how many 5pence you have in total.

All together you have 18 5pence intotal.