equivalent fractions are fractions that are equal in value, but have different numerators and denominators. for example, 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent fractions. a fraction can have an unlimited number of equivalent fractions, which are generated by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number. the numerator is the top part of a fraction, and the denominator is the bottom part. to determine if two fractions are equivalent, cross-multiply the fractions--multiply the numerator of each fraction by the denominator of the other. the fractions are equivalent if the products are the same.
check your answer by cross-multiplying the fractions: 9 times 4 equals 36, and 3 times 12 equals 36. these are equivalent fractions.
determine a number to multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by. for this example, we will multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction 3/4 by 3.
multiply the numerator of the fraction 3/4 by 3: 3 times 3 equals 9.
multiply the denominator of the fraction by 3: 3 times 4 equals 12.
place the numerator over the denominator, which equals 9/12. this is equivalent to 3/4.