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
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