What are Lowest Terms? Definition and Examples


Lowest terms ,also called lowest terms of a fraction, refers to a common fraction that has been written in its simplest form. A fraction is written in its simplest form if the numerator and the denominator have no common factor(s) other than 1.

For example, 2/9 is written in its simplest form because the only factor 2 and 9 have in common is 1.

However, 3/9 is not written in its simplest form because 3 and 9 have 3 as a common factor besides 1.

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Math words beginning with the letter l

How do you find the lowest terms?

1. Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and the denominator.

2. Divide both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the GCF.

Example

Express 20/25 in lowest terms

1. 

The factor of 20 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 20

The factor of 25 are 1, 5, and 25

The greatest common factor is 5.

2.

Divide both 20 and 25 by 5

(20÷5) / (25÷5) = 4/5

20/25 expressed in lowest terms is 4/5

Is 2/3 in its lowest term?

Yes!

The factors of 2 are 1 and 2 and the factors of 3 are 1 and 3.

The numerator and the denominator have no common factor(s) other than 1.

How do you write the fraction 3/12 in its simplest form?

The greatest common factor is 3. Therefore, divide both 3 and 12 by 4.

(3÷3) / (12÷3) = 1/4

3/12 expressed in lowest terms is 1/4

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