Fractions
Reduce Fractions to Lowest Terms
A fraction is said to be reduced or in lowest terms if it is either a simple or a mixed fraction and its numerator and denominator have no common factors.Examples:
Fractions in Lowest Terms  |
Fractions NOT in Lowest Terms |
Express each fraction in lowest terms.
| Example 1: |  |
Step1: |
This fraction is not improper because the numerator is smaller than denominator. |
Step 2: |
The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator are: |
Step 3: |
 |
Step 4: |
 |
| Example 2: |  |
Step1: |
This fraction is improper so we change it to a mixed fraction  . Now, we need to reduce  . |
Step 2: |
The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator are: |
Step 3: |
 |
Step 4: |
 |
| Example 3: |  |
Step1: |
This fraction is not improper because the numerator is smaller than denominator. |
Step 2: |
The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator are. |
Step 3: |
 |
Step 4: |
The fraction  is already in lowest term. |
Practice: Determine whether the fraction is in lowest terms. If not, simplify to lowest terms.
