How do you reduce a fraction to its lowest terms?

Answer 1

Both parts of the fraction need to be divisable by the same figure then that will give you a lower term. ie 2/4 is divisable by 2 hence it is 1/2.

Answer:

You look for what is called the "Largest Common Denominator" - a number that goes into the numerator and the divisor:

3/15 - is not in lowest terms because there is a common number between the 2
it's 3
how do we know this? break down the factors of the 2 numbers
3 = 1 x 3 or 3 x 1,
15 = 1 x 15, 3 x 5, 5 x 3, 15 x1
Aha! 3 goes into both so replace the numbers with their factors-
3/15 = (3x1)/(3x5) since 3 is in both sets we can cancel it out (ONLY if it's in both which it is here) so 3/15 = (3x1)/(3x5)
and we are left with 1/15; they now only have in common the number 1
1 = 1 x 1
15 = 1 x15, 3 x 5, 5 x 3, 15 x 1
the lowest terms is 3/15

Another:
4/24
test if lowest terms - factor the numbers
4 = 2 x 2, 4 x 1, 1 x 4, 2 x 2
24 = 1 x 24, 2 x 12, 3 x 8, 4 x 6, 6 x 4, 8 x 3, 12 x 2, 24 x 1
the largest number they have in common is: 4
since they have a number in common it's not in lowest terms and we need to complete the break down
4/24 = (4x1)/(4x6) cancel the 4's (because on top and bottom) and you get
(4x1)/(4x6) we are left with 1/6 and since there are no more factors
i.e. they are 1 x 1, 1 x 6, 6 x 1 having one in common
means lowest terms

Another:
14/31 factor the numbers
14 = 1 x 14, 2 x 7, 7 x 2, 14 x 1
31 = 1 x 31, 31 x 1
They only have 1 in common because 31 is divisible as an integer by only 1 and itself.
We have reached the end of the terms.

Another:
144/169 factor the numbers
144 = 1 x 144, 2 x 72, 3 x 48, 4 x 36, 6 x 24, 8 x 18, 9 x 16, 12 x 12, 16 x 9, 18 x 8, 24 x 6, 36 x 4, 48 x 3, 72 x 2, 144 x 1
169 = 1 x 169, 13 x 13, 169 x 1
the only thing they have in common is 1, we are at the end, lowest terms.

dont listen to that equation!! ^^^^ it is wrong