**Equivalent fractions** are fractions that have the same value, even though they might look different. #### Example: $\frac{2}{4}$ and $\frac{3}{6}$ are equivalent fractions because they both represent the same part of a whole. ### How to Create Equivalent Fractions You can make a fraction equivalent by **multiplying** or **dividing** both the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number) by the same number. #### Example: Start with $\frac{2}{4}$: - Multiply both the numerator and denominator by 2: $\frac{2}{4} = \frac{2 \times 2}{4 \times 2} = \frac{4}{8}$. Since the numerator and denominator were both multiplied by the same number, $\frac{4}{8}$ is equivalent to $\frac{2}{4}$. ### How to Simplify (or Reduce) a Fraction To simplify a fraction, divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number (as long as it's not zero). This reduces the fraction to its simplest form. #### Example: Simplify $\frac{6}{9}$: - Divide both the numerator and denominator by 3: $\frac{6 \div 3}{9 \div 3} = \frac{2}{3}$. Now, $\frac{6}{9}$ is simplified to $\frac{2}{3}$. ### Key Idea: Multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number doesn’t change the fraction’s value; it just gives it a different form.