Simplify a Fraction - Arithmetic Step by Step

Reduce 18/24 to lowest terms. First find GCD(18, 24) = 6, then divide both numerator and denominator by 6. The result, 3/4, cannot be reduced further because GCD(3, 4) = 1.

lowest-terms A fraction is in lowest terms when its numerator and denominator share no common factor greater than 1. Dividing both by their GCD does this in one step. Always check: if GCD = 1, you are done.

Example

Simplify 18/24 by dividing numerator and denominator by their GCD.

highlighted = computed this step

Step 1 — Set up

Set up the fraction expression.

\frac{18}{24}

Step 2 — Find GCD

The GCD of 18 and 24 is 6.

\gcd( 18 , 24 )= \hl{6}

Step 3 — Divide numerator

Divide the numerator: 18 ÷ 6 = 3.

\frac{18}{24} \rightarrow \hlmath{\frac{3}{24}}

Step 4 — Divide denominator

Divide the denominator: 24 ÷ 6 = 4.

\frac{3}{24} \rightarrow \hlmath{\frac{3}{4}}

Step 5 — Result

Read the final result.

\frac{18}{24} = \frac{3}{4}