How do you simplify the fraction 27/54?

1 Answer
Nov 15, 2016

#1/2#

Explanation:

To simplify the fraction consider the #color(blue)"common factors"# of the numerator/denominator and #color(blue)"cancel"# them.

That is 27 and 54 have a #color(blue)"common factor"# of 27 and thus can be #color(blue)"cancelled"# by dividing both by 27.

#rArr27/54=cancel(27)^1/cancel(54)^2=1/2#

A slightly longer approach is to cancel by the lowest common factor which is 3 and repeat the process.

#rArr27/54=cancel(27)^9/cancel(54)^(18)=9/18#

now cancel by 3 again.

#rArr9/18=cancel(9)^3/cancel(18)^6=3/6#

cancel by 3 again.

#3/6=cancel(3)^1/cancel(6)^2=1/2larr" in simplest form"#

The fraction is said to be in #color(blue)"simplest form"# when no other factor but 1 will divide into numerator/denominator.