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# How do you know if a fraction is in simplest form?

Wiki User

2010-05-12 21:16:37

A fraction is in its simplest form if its denominator (bottom half of the fraction) and numerator (top half of the fraction) cannot be divided by the same number to equal a fraction with whole numbers in the numerator and denominator.

[When you 'cancel' a fraction out (divide it to get a smaller fraction, closer to the simplest form) you must do the same sum to the numerator AND the denominator, so you must be able to divide the numerator by the same number you divide the numerator by, as the fraction cannot contain decimals or remainders (it must be a whole number]

e.g. 3/6 is NOT in its simplest form, as you can divide both numbers by 3, meaning

that the simplest form would be 1/3

1/3 is in its simplest form, as although you could divide the denominator by 3,

you cannot divide the numerator by 3 to equal a whole number.

Wiki User

2010-05-12 21:16:37
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