Simplify 16/24 To Lowest Terms In 5 Easy Steps

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Reducing fractions to their lowest terms is an essential math skill that helps simplify complex fractions and makes calculations easier. Let's learn how to simplify 16/24 to its lowest terms in 5 easy steps.

What Does Simplifying a Fraction Mean?

Simplifying a fraction means reducing it to its lowest terms, where the numerator (the top number) and the denominator (the bottom number) have no common factors other than 1. This process helps eliminate any unnecessary complexity and makes fractions easier to work with.

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. For 16 and 24, the factors are:

• Factors of 16: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16
• Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24

The greatest common divisor of 16 and 24 is 8.

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 8.

• Numerator: 16 ÷ 8 = 2
• Denominator: 24 ÷ 8 = 3

So, the simplified fraction is 2/3.

Step 3: Check if the Fraction Can Be Simplified Further

After simplifying the fraction, we need to check if it can be simplified further. To do this, we find the GCD of the new numerator and denominator.

• Factors of 2: 1, 2
• Factors of 3: 1, 3

The only common factor is 1, which means the fraction 2/3 cannot be simplified further.

Step 4: Write the Final Simplified Fraction

The final simplified fraction is 2/3.

Step 5: Verify the Simplification

To verify the simplification, we can multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number to check if we get the original fraction.

• 2 × 8 = 16
• 3 × 8 = 24

Since we get the original fraction 16/24, our simplification is correct.

There you have it! Simplifying 16/24 to its lowest terms in 5 easy steps. Remember to always find the greatest common divisor, divide the numerator and denominator, check for further simplification, write the final simplified fraction, and verify the simplification.

Now, it's your turn! Try simplifying other fractions using these steps, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

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