Fraction Reduction Calculator – Simplify Fractions
Simplify fractions to their lowest terms with step-by-step solutions
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter the numerator of your fraction
- Enter the denominator of your fraction
- Click calculate to see the reduced fraction
- Review the step-by-step reduction process
What is Fraction Reduction?
Fraction reduction, also known as simplifying fractions, is the process of converting a fraction to its simplest form by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
A fraction is in simplest form when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.
How to Reduce Fractions
- Find the GCD of the numerator and denominator
- Divide both the numerator and denominator by the GCD
- The result is the fraction in simplest form
- If GCD = 1, the fraction is already in simplest form
Examples
Example 1: Reduce 12/18. GCD(12, 18) = 6, so 12÷6 / 18÷6 = 2/3
Example 2: Reduce 15/25. GCD(15, 25) = 5, so 15÷5 / 25÷5 = 3/5
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the greatest common divisor (GCD)?
- The GCD is the largest positive integer that divides both the numerator and denominator evenly. It's used to reduce fractions to their simplest form.
- Can all fractions be reduced?
- Not all fractions can be reduced. If the GCD of the numerator and denominator is 1, the fraction is already in its simplest form.
- What if my fraction has negative numbers?
- The calculator handles negative fractions. The sign is preserved in the reduced form, typically placed on the numerator.