Question

A fraction is said to be in its simplest form when its numerator and the denominator have no common factors except .

Answer 1

A fraction is said to be in its simplest form when its numerator and the denominator have no common factors except 1.

For example: $\frac{3}{7}$
Let's rewrite the numerator and the denominator into its factors
Factors of 3: 1, 3
Factors of 7: 1, 7

$\frac{3}{7}$ is in its simplest form, because 3 and 7 have no common factors other than 1.

$\frac{6}{18}:$
Let's rewrite the numerator and the denominator into its factors
Factors of 6: 1, 2, 3, 6
Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18

$\frac{6}{18}$ is not in the simplest form, because 6 and 18 share common factors of 1, 2, 3, and 6.