Hands up: when you see 4/8, what is the simplest way to write the same fraction?

Watch four worked examples on the fraction strips. Each one starts with a fraction we want to simplify, then shows the simplest form on a shorter strip directly below it. Both shaded portions line up exactly — that is how we know the two fractions are equivalent. The heading above each pair shows the divide-by step in writing.

4/8 ÷4/4 = 1/2

Top and bottom both divided by 4. The ÷4/4 step underneath the fraction shows the single divider we use.

6/9 ÷3/3 = 2/3

Top and bottom both divided by 3. A different divider, same idea.

12/16 ÷4/4 = 3/4

Top and bottom divided by 4 in one step. We could also write ÷2/2 first (12/16 = 6/8), then ÷2/2 again to reach 3/4 — same answer, two small steps.

15/20 ÷5/5 = 3/4

Top and bottom divided by 5. Same simplest form as 12/16 — from a different starting fraction.

Watch as we stack three strips at the board. A pupil at the board shades 4/8 on the eighths strip, then 2/4 on the quarters strip, then 1/2 on the halves strip. Each shaded length should end at exactly the same point — that's the picture of an equivalent simplification.