Simplify 18/24 To Lowest Terms In 5 Easy Steps

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Simplifying Fractions to Lowest Terms

Simplifying fractions to their lowest terms is an essential skill in mathematics. It involves reducing a fraction to its simplest form by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). In this article, we will guide you through the process of simplifying 18/24 to its lowest terms in 5 easy steps.

What is a Fraction in Lowest Terms?

A fraction is in its lowest terms when the numerator and the denominator have no common factors other than 1. This means that the fraction cannot be simplified any further. For example, the fraction 3/4 is in its lowest terms because 3 and 4 have no common factors other than 1.

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. To find the GCD of 18 and 24, we can list the factors of each number:

Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18 Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24

The greatest common divisor of 18 and 24 is 6.

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: 18 ÷ 6 = 3 Denominator: 24 ÷ 6 = 4

So, the simplified fraction is 3/4.

Step 3: Check if the Fraction Can Be Simplified Further

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

Factors of 3: 1, 3 Factors of 4: 1, 2, 4

The greatest common divisor of 3 and 4 is 1. Since the GCD is 1, the fraction 3/4 is already in its lowest terms.

Step 4: Write the Final Answer

Now that we have simplified the fraction and checked that it cannot be simplified further, we can write the final answer.

18/24 = 3/4

Step 5: Verify the Answer

To verify our answer, we can multiply the numerator and denominator of the simplified fraction by the GCD.

3 × 6 = 18 4 × 6 = 24

Since we get back the original fraction, we can confirm that our answer is correct.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Simplifying fractions to their lowest terms is an essential skill in mathematics. By following the 5 easy steps outlined in this article, you can simplify any fraction to its lowest terms. Remember to find the GCD, divide the numerator and denominator by the GCD, check if the fraction can be simplified further, write the final answer, and verify the answer.

We hope this article has helped you understand how to simplify fractions to their lowest terms. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please leave a comment below. Don't forget to share this article with your friends and family who may also find it helpful.