Fractions 2 - Simplify and Reduce Part 1

There is an error at the 6:30 mark -- the correct reduced fraction should be 9/20, NOT 3/20.

In this lesson, we learn how to simplify or reduce fractions to their lowest terms. A fraction is reduced when the numerator and denominator have no factors in common except for one. We can use equivalent fractions, division, or prime factorization to simplify fractions. Prime factorization involves breaking down both the numerator and denominator into their prime factors and then canceling out any factors that appear in both the numerator and denominator. This method is more thorough, but can be time-consuming, so it's important to choose the method that works best for you.

Part 1 of How to simplify and reduce fractions to lowest terms.

• How do you simplify or reduce fractions to lowest terms?
• What does it mean to simplify or reduce a fraction to lowest terms?
• How do you know if a fraction is in lowest terms?
• How can you reduce 10/12 to lowest terms?
• How do you simplify 36/80 and write it in lowest terms?
• How can you reduce 36/80 to lowest terms using a factor tree?
• How do you simplify 48/99 and write it in lowest terms?