How do you change #9/12# to simplest form?

2 Answers
Aug 10, 2016

#3/4#

Explanation:

To express a fraction in #color(blue)"simplest form"# we need to find a number, the largest is preferable, that divides into both 9 and 12.
In this case the largest number that divides into both is 3.

Now we divide 9 and 12 by 3

#rArr9/12=(9÷3)/(12÷3)=3/4" in simplest form"#

Usually, the task of dividing both numbers by 3 is performed mentally, stroking out the number and replacing it by the value remaining after division.This is called #color(red)"cancelling"#

#rArr(cancel(9)^3)/(cancel(12)^4)=3/4#

Jan 18, 2017

#3/4#

Explanation:

We must first find the largest common factor of the numerator and the denominator. The factors of 9 are 1, 3, and 9. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. So the greatest common factor of 9 and 12 is 3. So you divide both sides by 3. So the simplest form of #9/12# is #3/4#.