Which fraction is in lowest terms?

Which fraction is in lowest terms?

• A. 8/16
• B. 9/12
• C. 3/4
• D. 2/3

Answer: (C)

A fraction is in lowest terms when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. In other words, you can't divide both parts by the same number to get a smaller fraction. Look at each pair: 8/16 can be reduced by 8 to 1/2, so it's not in lowest terms. 9/12 can be reduced by 3 to 3/4, so it's not in lowest terms. 3/4 cannot be reduced further because 3 and 4 have no common factor besides 1, so it is in simplest form. 2/3 also has no common factor besides 1, so it is in simplest form as well. Thus, 3/4 is in lowest terms, and it’s a clean example of a fraction already in simplest form (another option, 2/3, is also in lowest terms). The key idea is to check whether a common factor greater than 1 exists; if not, the fraction is already simplified.

A fraction is in lowest terms when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. In other words, you can't divide both parts by the same number to get a smaller fraction.

Look at each pair: 8/16 can be reduced by 8 to 1/2, so it's not in lowest terms. 9/12 can be reduced by 3 to 3/4, so it's not in lowest terms. 3/4 cannot be reduced further because 3 and 4 have no common factor besides 1, so it is in simplest form. 2/3 also has no common factor besides 1, so it is in simplest form as well.

Thus, 3/4 is in lowest terms, and it’s a clean example of a fraction already in simplest form (another option, 2/3, is also in lowest terms). The key idea is to check whether a common factor greater than 1 exists; if not, the fraction is already simplified.