# Fraction in Lowest Terms

Fraction in lowest terms is discussed here.

If numerator and denominator of a fraction have no common factor other than 1(one), then the fraction is said to be in its simple form or in lowest term.

In other words, a fraction is in its lowest terms or in lowest form, if the HCF of its numerator and denominator is 1.

Observe the fractions represented by the colored portion in the following figures.

In figure A colored part is represented by fraction $$\frac{8}{16}$$.

The colored part in figure B is represented by fraction $$\frac{4}{8}$$.

In figure C the colored part represents the fraction $$\frac{2}{4}$$ and

In figure D colored part represents $$\frac{1}{2}$$.

When numerator and denominator of fraction $$\frac{8}{16}$$ are divided by 2. We get $$\frac{4}{8}$$ and in the same way $$\frac{4}{8}$$ gives $$\frac{2}{4}$$ and then $$\frac{1}{2}$$.

So, we find that $$\frac{8}{16}$$, $$\frac{4}{8}$$, $$\frac{2}{4}$$ are equal to fraction for $$\frac{1}{2}$$. Thus, $$\frac{1}{2}$$ is the simplest or lowest form of all its equivalent fractions like $$\frac{2}{4}$$, $$\frac{4}{8}$$, $$\frac{8}{16}$$, $$\frac{16}{32}$$, $$\frac{32}{64}$$, …… etc.

Now, if we take all the factors of the numerator 8 and denominator 16 of the fraction $$\frac{8}{16}$$, we get the following:

All factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4, 8.

All factors of 16 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16.

We find that highest common factor (HCF) of 8 and 16 is 8.

On dividing both numerator and denominator by highest common factor we get $$\frac{1}{2}$$.

Since, both numerator and denominator of fraction $$\frac{1}{2}$$ have no common factor other than 1, we say that the fraction $$\frac{1}{2}$$ is in its lowest terms or simplest form.

There are two methods to reduce a given fraction to its simplest form, viz., H.C.F. Method and Prime Factorization Method.

H.C.F. Method

Find the H.C.F. of the numerator and denominator of the given fraction.

In order to reduce a fraction to its lowest terms, we divide its numerator and denominator by their HCF.

Example to reduce a fraction in lowest term, using H.C.F. Method:

1. Reduce the fraction ²¹/₅₆ to its simplest form.

Solution:

Therefore H.C.F. of 21 and 56 is 7.

We now divide the numerator and denominator of the given fraction by 7.

²¹/₅₆ = $$\frac{21 ÷ 7}{56 ÷ 7}$$ = ³/₈.

2. Reduce ⁴⁸/₆₄ to its lowest form.

Solution:

First we find the HCF of 48 and 64 by factorization method.

The factors of 48: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 48.

The factors of 64: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64.

The common factors of 48 and 64 are: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16.

Therefore, HCF of 48 and 64 is 16.

Now ⁴⁸/₆₄ = $$\frac{48 ÷ 16}{64 ÷ 16}$$

[Dividing numerator and denominator by the HCF of 48 and 64 i.e., 16]

⇒ ⁴⁸/₆₄ = ³/₄

3. Reduce ⁴⁴/₇₂ to its lowest form.

Solution:

First we find the HCF of 44 and 72 by factorization method.

The factors of 44: 1, 2, 4, 11, 22 and 44.

The factors of 72: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36.

The common factors of 44 and 72 are: 1, 2 and 4.

Therefore, HCF of 44 and 72 is 4.

Now ⁴⁴/₇₂ = $$\frac{44 ÷ 4}{72 ÷ 4}$$

[Dividing numerator and denominator by the HCF of 44 and 72 i.e., 4]

⇒ 44/72 = 11/18

Prime Factorization Method

Express both numerator and denominator of the given fraction as the product of prime factors and then cancel the common factors from them.

Example to reduce a fraction in lowest term, using Prime Factorization Method:

Reduce $$\frac{120}{360}$$ to the lowest term.

Solution:

120   =     2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 5         =   1
360        2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5          3

Solve Examples on Reducing Fractions to Lowest Terms:

1. Express $$\frac{28}{140}$$ in the simplest form.

Solution:

Let us find all the factors of both numerator and denominator.

Factors of 28 are 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28

Factors of 140 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 35, 70, 140

The highest common factor is 28. Now dividing both numerator and denominator by 28, we get $$\frac{1}{5}$$. The numerator 1 and denominator 5 have no common factors other than 1. So,  $$\frac{1}{5}$$ is the simplest form of $$\frac{28}{140}$$.

2. Is $$\frac{48}{168}$$ in its simplest form?

Solution:

Let us find HCF of numerator and denominator and then divide both by the highest common factor.

The highest common factor is 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 24

Let us divide both numerator and denominator by 24. We get $$\frac{2}{7}$$.

So, the fraction $$\frac{48}{168}$$ is not in its simplest form.

Questions and Answers on Reduce a Fraction to its Simplest Form:

1. Convert the given fractions in lowest form:

(i) $$\frac{2}{4}$$

(ii) $$\frac{3}{9}$$

(iii) $$\frac{4}{16}$$

(iv) $$\frac{12}{15}$$

(v) $$\frac{7}{28}$$

(vi) $$\frac{6}{10}$$

(vii) $$\frac{9}{72}$$

(viii) $$\frac{24}{36}$$

1. (i) $$\frac{1}{2}$$

(ii) $$\frac{1}{3}$$

(iii) $$\frac{1}{4}$$

(iv) $$\frac{4}{5}$$

(v) $$\frac{1}{4}$$

(vi) $$\frac{3}{5}$$

(vii) $$\frac{1}{8}$$

(viii) $$\frac{2}{3}$$

2. Match the given fractions:

 (i) $$\frac{12}{15}$$(ii) $$\frac{6}{9}$$(iii) $$\frac{8}{36}$$(iv) $$\frac{24}{32}$$ (v) $$\frac{15}{25}$$ (a) $$\frac{3}{4}$$(b) $$\frac{2}{9}$$(c) $$\frac{3}{5}$$(d) $$\frac{4}{5}$$ (e) $$\frac{2}{3}$$

 (i) $$\frac{12}{15}$$(ii) $$\frac{6}{9}$$(iii) $$\frac{8}{36}$$(iv) $$\frac{24}{32}$$ (v) $$\frac{15}{25}$$ (d) $$\frac{4}{5}$$(e) $$\frac{2}{3}$$(b) $$\frac{2}{9}$$(a) $$\frac{3}{4}$$ (c) $$\frac{3}{5}$$

3. Write the fraction for given statements and convert them to the lowest form.

 Statement Fraction Lowest Form (i) Ten minutes to an hour (ii) Amy ate 3 out of the 9 slices of a pizza (iii) Eight months to a year (iv) Kelly colored 4 out of 12 parts of a drawing (v) Jack works for 8 hours in a day.

 Statement Fraction Lowest Form (i) Ten minutes to an hour $$\frac{50}{60}$$ $$\frac{5}{6}$$ (ii) Amy ate 3 out of the 9 slices of a pizza $$\frac{3}{9}$$ $$\frac{1}{3}$$ (iii) Eight months to a year $$\frac{8}{12}$$ $$\frac{2}{3}$$ (iv) Kelly colored 4 out of 12 parts of a drawing $$\frac{4}{12}$$ $$\frac{1}{3}$$ (v) Jack works for 8 hours in a day. $$\frac{8}{24}$$ $$\frac{1}{3}$$

4. Give the fraction of the colored figure and convert in the lowest form.

 Figure Fraction Lowest Form (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

 Figure Fraction Lowest Form (i) $$\frac{2}{8}$$ $$\frac{1}{4}$$ (ii) $$\frac{4}{8}$$ $$\frac{1}{2}$$ (iii) $$\frac{6}{12}$$ $$\frac{1}{2}$$ (iv) $$\frac{2}{6}$$ $$\frac{1}{3}$$

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