Fraction Reduction Gizmo 1.0 iPhone App

This program helps a student practice and learn the process of reducing fractions to lowest terms. The student does all the work, but is provided with tools and guidance to guarantee they can complete the process correctly.
View in App Store.

In the Create screen you can create a fraction to practice on with easy-to-use slider controls. The fraction is displayed both in the 'pie chart' format and the traditional numerator over denominator format. You can also select to have the program provide a randomly generated fraction by tapping the Random button.


The Reduce screen is the fun one! Reducing a fraction consists of the steps
  1. Expressing numbers in terms of their factors
  2. 'Canceling' factors that appear both above and below the line
  3. Repeating until no more repeated factors are left
To express a number as its factors, first make certain the controller at the bottom is in the factor mode, and then tap on the number to factor and the following screen slides up...


In the Factoring screen select any two numbers that multiply together to the target product. Note that YOU have to select the numbers, but the program will not let you advance with incorrect numbers. Clicking Use returns you to the Reduce screen, with the number replaced by its factors.


This shows the Reduce screen after both the numerator and denominator have been factored. The 9 could also be factored if so wished. If you attempt to factor a 2 or a 5 you get a message that they are prime, and hence cannot be factored appears.


At this point the bottom control has been changed to the cancel function, and tapping a number results in it getting 'crossed-out', just as it would when working with pencil and paper.


This shows the Reduce screen after the terms cancel out. It's worth noting that this closely mimics the process when using old fashioned pencil and paper, but the student is guided and constrained so they can't advance while taking a wrong step.




If you wish to the use Euclidean Algorithm to find the G.C.D. (Greatest Common Divisor), a tool is available that will guide you through the steps. As with other parts of the program, YOU still do all the work, but you're assisted and prevented from making small mistakes that will result in an incorrect answer.
As an added bonus, you get a mini-glossary of terms related to fraction reduction.


As an added added bonus, you get a set of tips for quickly determining some of the factors or a number. Fascinate your friends and astound your associates and confound your colleagues! This alone is worth ninety-nine cents!


About the programmer
Kevin Neelands lives in Gainesville, Florida (home of the fightin' gators) and gets his kicks writing silly little programs.