5th Class Mathematics Fractions Lowest or Simplest Form of a Fraction

    Lowest or Simplest Form of a Fraction              

When HCF of numerator and denominator of a fraction is 1, the fraction is in its simplest or lowest form.

For example: The fraction \[\frac{5}{7}\]is in its simplest form as HCF of 5 and 7 is 1.

Is the fraction \[\frac{27}{72}\] in its lowest form?

Solution:

HCF of 27 and 72 is 9. Therefore, the fraction \[\frac{27}{72}\] is not in its simplest form.  

How to Reduce a Fraction into Lowest Form

To reduce a fraction into its lowest form, numerator and denominator of the fraction is divided by their HCF. The resulting fraction is the reduced form of the given fraction.  

Reduce the fraction \[\frac{16}{38}\]into its lowest form.

Solution:

HCF of 16 and 38 = 2

Now divide both numerator and the denominator by \[2\frac{16\div 2}{38\div 2}=\frac{8}{19}\]

Thus \[\frac{8}{19}\]is the reduced form of\[\frac{36}{38}.\]