Suppose you have the fraction
. Those are pretty big numbers to deal with. Is there a simpler
way to write the same fraction? Well, one common method is to
write the fraction in lowest terms. A fraction in lowest terms is
written using the smallest numbers possible that have the same
relationship as the numbers in the original fraction. A fraction
in lowest terms is the simplest form of that fraction. Read on to
learn how to reduce a fraction to lowest terms.
PROCEDURE: To reduce a fraction to lowest
terms, first find all the numbers that divide evenly into the
numerator and the denominator. These numbers are known as
factors. Find the largest factor that is common to both the
numerator and the denominator. This is known as the Greatest
Common Factor (GCF). Then divide both the numerator and the
denominator by the GCF.
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Reduce the fraction
to lowest terms.
Step 1: Find all the factors of the numerator
and denominator, and determine which is the largest factor in
both lists, or the GCF.
factors of the numerator 30: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15
, 30
factors of the denominator 45: 1, 3, 5, 9, 15
, 45
Step 2: Divide both the numerator and the
denominator by the GCF, which is 15.
reduced to lowest terms is
Buy
Algebrator now:
Instant download and
optional CD
Only $39.99
Click to Buy Now:
2Checkout.com is an authorized reseller of goods provided by Softmath
Attention: We are
currently running a special promotional offer
for algebra-helper.com Visitors -- if you order
Algebrator by midnight of
March 12th
you will pay only $39.99
instead of our regular price of $74.99 -- this is $35.00 in
savings ! In order to take advantage of this
offer, you need to order by clicking on one of
the buttons on the left, not through our regular
order page.
If you order now you will also receive 30 minutes of live math tutoring from tutor.com!
You
Will Learn Algebra Better - Guaranteed!
Just
take a look how incredibly simple Algebrator is:
Step 1
: Enter your homework problem in an easy WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) algebra editor:
Step 2 :
Let Algebrator solve it:
Step 3 : Ask for an explanation for the steps you don't understand:
Algebrator can solve problems in all the following areas:
simplification of algebraic expressions (operations
with polynomials (simplifying, degree, synthetic division...), exponential expressions, fractions and roots
(radicals), absolute values)
factoring and expanding expressions
finding LCM and GCF
operations with complex numbers
(simplifying, rationalizing complex denominators...)
solving linear, quadratic and many other equations
and inequalities
(including basic logarithmic and exponential equations)
solving a system of two and three linear equations
(including Cramer's rule)
. Those are pretty big numbers to deal with. Is there a simpler
way to write the same fraction? Well, one common method is to
write the fraction in lowest terms. A fraction in lowest terms is
written using the smallest numbers possible that have the same
relationship as the numbers in the original fraction. A fraction
in lowest terms is the simplest form of that fraction. Read on to
learn how to reduce a fraction to lowest terms. 
