Fractions

Equivalent Fractions

Create fractions equal to 2/5 by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number. Multiplying by 2/2 gives 4/10; multiplying by 3/3 gives 6/15. The value stays the same.

Example

Create equivalent fractions by multiplying numerator and denominator by the same number.

highlighted = computed this step

Step 1 — Set up

Set up the fraction expression.

25\frac{2}{5}
Same shaded amount, finer equal parts2/5

Step 2 — Scale by 2

Multiply numerator and denominator by 2.

25×22=410\frac{2}{5} \times \frac{2}{2} = \hlmath{\frac{4}{10}}
Same shaded amount, finer equal parts2/54/10

Step 3 — Scale by 3

Multiply numerator and denominator by 3.

25×33=615\frac{2}{5} \times \frac{3}{3} = \hlmath{\frac{6}{15}}
Same shaded amount, finer equal parts2/56/15

Step 4 — Result

Read the final result.

25=410=615\frac{2}{5} = \frac{4}{10} = \frac{6}{15}
Same shaded amount, finer equal parts2/54/106/15
scaling-fractions Multiplying top and bottom by the same nonzero number is the same as multiplying by 1, so the value never changes. This lets you rewrite a fraction with any denominator you need — a key step for comparing and adding fractions.