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Subject – Mathematics
Chapter 4 – FRACTIONS
Sub-topic-5:- LOWEST TERMS
If numerator and denominator of a fraction have no common factor other than 1(one),
then the fraction is said to be in its simple form or in lowest term.
Fractions in lowest terms are discussed in the following steps in order to reduce a
fraction.
In order to reduce a fraction to its lowest terms the following steps are:
Step I: Find the HCF (highest common factor) of the numerator (top number) and
denominator (bottom number).
Step II: Divide both the numerator and denominator by HCF (highest common factor)
obtained in step I to get the equivalent fraction in the lowest terms or in the simplest
form.
For Example-
1. Reduce each of the following fractions in lowest term:
(i) ¹⁵/₃₅
The factors of 15 are 1, 3, 5 and 15.
The factors of 35 are 1, 5, 7 and 35.
The common factors of 15 and 35 are 1 and 5.
Therefore, HCF (highest common factor) of 15 and 35 is 5.
Now, 15/35 = (15 ÷ 5)/(35 ÷ 5)
[Dividing numerator and denominator by the HCF (highest common factor) of 15 and 35
is 5].
= ³/₇.
ii) ⁴⁷/₆₀
The factors of 48 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48.
The factors of 60 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30 and 60.
