Due to math content, this page has special requirements (including JavaScript) for full functionality.
With your current viewing scenario, it is not appearing and behaving as it is supposed to!
Please visit Dr. Carol J.V. Fisher's Homepage (link at left) to learn what this site has to offer.
Watch the "Welcome" video to get started—hope to see you back here soon!
Dr. Carol J.V. Fisher's Homepage
WRITING FRACTIONS IN SIMPLEST FORM
Jump right to the exercises!
The concepts for this exercise are summarized below.
For a complete discussion, read the text.
SIMPLEST FORM OF A FRACTION
The simplest form of a fraction is N/D , where N and D have no
common factors (except 1 ).
Thus, in simplest form, there is no number other than 1 that goes into both
the numerator and denominator evenly.
For example, 6/15 is not in simplest form, because 6 and 15
have a common factor of 3 .
To simplify the fraction, use the following thought process:
6 divided by 3 is 2 (the new numerator is 2 ).
15 divided by 3 is 5 (the new denominator is 5 ).
Thus, 6/15 = 2/5 .
Since 2 and 5 have no common factor other than 1 ,
the simplest form of 6/15 is 2/5 .
EXAMPLE:
Write 2/6 in simplest form:
Answer: 1/3