Reducing Fractions

We can simplify a fraction by reducing it to its lowest term. That means to divide the numerator and denominator with the same number until the only common factor is 1, for example:

Usually, we divide the numerator and the denominator by the greatest common factor.

Example :

Express in lowest terms.

Solution:

Step 1: Find the greatest common factor of the numerator and the denominator.

12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

30: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30

The GCF is 6

Step 2: Divide the numerator and denominator of the fraction by the GCF.

is in lowest terms.

The following video shows some examples of reducing fractions to the lowest terms.

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