Simplify the Fraction 15/20: Step-by-Step Reduction

Q: What if I can't find any common factors?

If the only common factor is 1, then your fraction is already in simplest form! For example, $ \frac{3}{7} $ cannot be simplified because 3 and 7 share no common factors except 1.

Q: Can I simplify by dividing by different numbers?

No! You must divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number. Dividing by different numbers changes the value of the fraction completely.

Q: How do I know when I'm done simplifying?

You're done when the numerator and denominator have no common factors except 1. Try to think of any number (other than 1) that divides into both - if you can't find one, you're finished!

Q: What's wrong with leaving my answer as 15/20?

While $ \frac{15}{20} $ is mathematically correct, it's not in simplest form. Simplified fractions like $ \frac{3}{4} $ are easier to work with and compare to other fractions.

Fraction Simplification with Common Factor Division

Simplify the given fraction to its simplest form:

$\frac{15}{20}=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:05 Let's start by reducing the fraction as much as possible.

00:09 We'll do this by dividing by the greatest common factor.

00:13 Remember to divide both the numerator and the denominator.

00:17 Now, calculate what you get after dividing.

00:21 And that's how we find the solution to the question!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Simplify the given fraction to its simplest form:

$\frac{15}{20}=$

Step-by-step solution

We must identify the highest common factor (HCF): The largest number that both the numerator and the denominator can be divided by.

In this case, the number is 5, therefore:

$\frac{15:5}{20:5}=\frac{3}{4}$

Final Answer

$\frac{3}{4}$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Find the highest common factor of numerator and denominator
Technique: Divide both 15 and 20 by their HCF of 5
Check: Verify $\frac{3}{4}$ cannot be reduced further ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Dividing by any common factor instead of the highest one
Don't divide 15/20 by 2 to get 7.5/10 = wrong approach! Using a smaller common factor means you haven't fully simplified and may get messy decimals. Always find the highest common factor first to get the simplest form in one step.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Without calculating, determine whether the quotient in the division exercise is less than 1 or not:

$$ 5:6= $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I find the highest common factor quickly?

List the factors of both numbers! For 15: 1, 3, 5, 15. For 20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20. The largest number that appears in both lists is your HCF (in this case, 5).

What if I can't find any common factors?

If the only common factor is 1, then your fraction is already in simplest form! For example, $\frac{3}{7}$ cannot be simplified because 3 and 7 share no common factors except 1.

Can I simplify by dividing by different numbers?

No! You must divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number. Dividing by different numbers changes the value of the fraction completely.

How do I know when I'm done simplifying?

You're done when the numerator and denominator have no common factors except 1. Try to think of any number (other than 1) that divides into both - if you can't find one, you're finished!

What's wrong with leaving my answer as 15/20?

While $\frac{15}{20}$ is mathematically correct, it's not in simplest form. Simplified fractions like $\frac{3}{4}$ are easier to work with and compare to other fractions.

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