Simplify 12/52 In 5 Easy Steps

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Are you struggling to simplify the fraction 12/52? Simplifying fractions is an essential math skill that can help you in various aspects of life, from cooking to finance. In this article, we will break down the steps to simplify 12/52 in 5 easy steps.

Why Simplify Fractions?

Before we dive into the steps, let's quickly discuss why simplifying fractions is important. Simplifying fractions helps to reduce them to their lowest terms, making it easier to work with them in mathematical operations. This is particularly useful when adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing fractions.

Step 1: Find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)

To simplify a fraction, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator. The GCD is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder. In this case, we need to find the GCD of 12 and 52.

How to Find the GCD

There are several ways to find the GCD, but one common method is to use the prime factorization method. Here's how:

• Prime factorization of 12: 2 × 2 × 3
• Prime factorization of 52: 2 × 2 × 13

Now, let's identify the common factors:

• Common factor: 2 × 2 = 4

So, the GCD of 12 and 52 is 4.

Step 2: Divide the Numerator and Denominator by the GCD

Now that we have found the GCD, we can simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the GCD.

• Numerator: 12 ÷ 4 = 3
• Denominator: 52 ÷ 4 = 13

So, the simplified fraction is 3/13.

Step 3: Check if the Fraction is in Lowest Terms

Now that we have simplified the fraction, we need to check if it is in lowest terms. To do this, we need to check if the numerator and denominator have any common factors.

• Numerator: 3
• Denominator: 13

Since 3 and 13 have no common factors, the fraction 3/13 is in lowest terms.

Step 4: Write the Simplified Fraction

Now that we have simplified the fraction and checked that it is in lowest terms, we can write the simplified fraction:

3/13

Step 5: Verify the Answer

Finally, let's verify that the simplified fraction is correct by checking if it is equivalent to the original fraction.

• Original fraction: 12/52
• Simplified fraction: 3/13

Since 12/52 = 3/13, we can confirm that the simplified fraction is correct.

Now that we have simplified the fraction 12/52 in 5 easy steps, we can confidently say that the simplified fraction is 3/13.

Conclusion

Simplifying fractions is an essential math skill that can help you in various aspects of life. By following these 5 easy steps, you can simplify any fraction and ensure that it is in lowest terms. Remember to always check if the fraction is in lowest terms and verify the answer to ensure accuracy.

We hope this article has helped you to simplify the fraction 12/52 and has given you the confidence to tackle more complex fractions. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to ask.