Simplify the fraction 18/42.

Simplify the fraction 18/42.

• A. 18/42
• B. 12/26
• C. 7/14
• D. 3/7

Answer: (D)

Reducing a fraction means dividing the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor so the numerator and denominator share no common factors beyond 1. For 18 and 42, both are divisible by 6, which is their greatest common divisor. Dividing both by 6 gives 18 ÷ 6 = 3 and 42 ÷ 6 = 7, so the fraction simplifies to 3/7. This is in lowest terms because 3 and 7 have no common factors other than 1. Checking quickly: 18/42 is about 0.4286, while the other options represent different values (for example, 7/14 is 0.5 and 12/26 is about 0.4615), so they’re not equivalent to the original ratio.

Reducing a fraction means dividing the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor so the numerator and denominator share no common factors beyond 1. For 18 and 42, both are divisible by 6, which is their greatest common divisor. Dividing both by 6 gives 18 ÷ 6 = 3 and 42 ÷ 6 = 7, so the fraction simplifies to 3/7. This is in lowest terms because 3 and 7 have no common factors other than 1. Checking quickly: 18/42 is about 0.4286, while the other options represent different values (for example, 7/14 is 0.5 and 12/26 is about 0.4615), so they’re not equivalent to the original ratio.