# Simplifying Fractions Calculator

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Use this fractions simplifier calculator to reduce any fraction to lowest terms. You just need to enter the numerator and denominator values. The answer will be a proper fraction or a mixed number and also the decimal equivalent to the given fraction.

## How to simplify fractions

There are some different ways to simplify or reduce a fraction. See some examples below:

### Method 1 - Keep Dividing by a Small Number

Start by dividing both the top and bottom numbers of the fraction by the same number, and repeat this if necessary until it is impossible to divide. Begin dividing by a small number like 2, 3, 5, 7. For example,

### Simplify the fraction 12/60

• First divide both (numerator/denominator) by 2 to get 6/30.
• Divide both of those by 2 to get 3/15, then,
• Divide both of those by 3 to get 1/5.

In the fraction 1/5, 1 is only divisible by itself, and 5 is not divisible by other numbers than itself and 1, so the fraction has been simplified as much as possible. No further reduction is possible, so the answer is 1/5.

### Method 2

To reduce a fraction to lowest terms (also called its simplest form), just divide both the numerator and denominator by the Greatest Common Factor (GCF or GCD). For example, 2/3 is in lowest form, but 4/6 is not in lowest form (the GCD of 4 and 6 is 2) and 4/6 can be expressed as 2/3. You can do this because the value of a fraction is not changed if both the numerator and denominator are multiplied or divided by the same number (other than zero).