How do you cancel a fraction to its lowest term?

Answer 1

'Cancel a fraction , is sometimes referred to as 'cancelling down.

As an example take the fraction ' 12/18'.

Since both '12' and '18' are even, they will divide by '2'

Hence

12/18 = 6/9

'12/18 has been 'cancelled down by 2' to make it 6/9 .

We now notice that both '6' & '9' are multiples of '3'. So both numbers will divide by '3'

So dividing by '3'

6/9 = 2/3

It has been 'cancelled down by '3''.

Since both '2' & '3' are prime numbers , this will NOT cancel down any further.

So 12/18 = 2/3

NB An appreciation of the multiplication tables is needed.

NNB 'Cancelling down' is were botyh top and bottom have common factors to divide into.

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Answer 2

If the numerator and denominator have a greatest common factor that is not 1, then it is not completely simplified.