Answer:
Divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Example:
38/57 = (2·19)/(3·19)
Dividing numerator and denominator by the factor 19 that is common to both, we have the simplest form:
38/57 = 2/3
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The process is aided immensely by you having mastery of your multiplication tables through at least 12×12, and by having a good feeling for the factorization of all numbers less than 100.
Some calculators work well with fractions, so can simplify them for you. If you don't have either of the above, then you need to have a good understanding of how to find the greatest common divisor of two numbers. Euclid's algorithm is a useful tool for this.
