# Fractions in Simplest Form

There are two different ways to write a fractions in simplest form.

1) Divide by common factors.
2) Divide by using GCF.
A fraction is in the lowest term when the only common factor between the numerator and the denominator is 1.

Example : Write 20/24 in simplest form :

 Divide by common factors • Divide by common factors until the common factor is 1. • You can start dividing by 2 since both the numbers are even.  20 ÷ 2           10  ---------- = -----  24 ÷ 2           12 But both 10 and 12 are also even so they are divisible by 2. 10 ÷ 2           5  ---------- = -----  12 ÷ 2           6 • Since 5 and 6 do not have any common factor so 5/6 is the simplest form of 20/24. Divide by using GCF • First find the GCF of 20 and 24.   20 : 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20   24 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 • The common factors of 20 and 24 are 2 and 4. The GCF of 20 and 24 is 4. • Divide both the numerator and denominator by 4.  20 ÷ 4           5  ---------- = -----  24 ÷ 4           6

Practice

Q.1 Reduce the fraction in its lowest(simplest) form in each of the following:
1) (14 ÷ 7) / (21 ÷7)
2) (12 ÷ 4) / (16 ÷4)
3) (18 ÷ 9) / (27 ÷9)
4) (10 ÷ 5) / (15 ÷5)

Q.2 Write the common factor in the following fractions :
1) 12/18         2) 16/20
3) 36/48         4) 7/35
5) 13/23         6) 20/50

Q.3 Reduce the following fractions to their simplest (lowest) form:
1) 2/6            2) 12/15
3) 18/20         4) 26/65
5) 16/20         6) 43/23

Fraction

Types of Fractions
Conversion of improper to mixed fraction
Equivalent Fractions
Fractions in Simplest form
Like and Unlike Fractions