Intro to Millwright Practice Exam

Is it true that reducing a fraction requires multiplying?

1. True

2. False

3. It depends on the context

4. Only for specific fractions

The correct answer is: False

The statement that reducing a fraction requires multiplying is not accurate; thus, it is indeed false. Reducing a fraction involves simplifying it to its lowest terms, which is achieved by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). This process does not involve multiplication in the traditional sense of making a fraction larger; instead, it streamlines the fraction to its simplest form without changing its value. For example, if you take the fraction 8/12, to reduce this fraction, you would find the GCD of 8 and 12, which is 4. By dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 4, you get 2/3. This reduction process relies on division rather than multiplication. Understanding this distinction is crucial in fraction manipulation, as it helps clarify the process of simplifying fractions effectively.