Reducing Fractions

To reduce a fraction divide the numerator and denominator by the same number. Keep doing this until the only number both the numerator and denominator will divide by one.

Example 1: Reduce 2/4

2	/	2		1
---		---	=	---
4	/	2		2

You can divide both terms by 2 to get to lowest terms.

Example 2: Reduce 6/12

6	/	2		3
---		---	=	---
12	/	2		6

You can divide both terms by 2.

3	/	3		1
---		---	=	---
6	/	3		2

Then you can divide by 3. It took two steps to get to lowest terms.

OR

6	/	6		1
---		---	=	---
12	/	6		2

You could have divided both terms by 6 and get to lowest terms in one step.