How can I use factors to totally reduce fractions

Question

hero · Answer

I told you to post a composite fraction and I will show you how to reduce it.

waheguru · Answer

Cant you show me an exampe problem

waheguru · Answer

please

waheguru · Answer

for example 120/165 how do i reduce it by using factors

hero · Answer

Okay so here's how it is done:

In general, you want to look for and cancel factors of one. You do that by finding a common number that the numerator and denominator is divisible by and reduce the fraction by that number. You keep doing that until you get a prime fraction. A prime fraction is a fraction where neither the numerator or the denominator have any common divisors. So for this particular problem: 

1. Look to see if 120 and 165 is divisible by a common number. In this case, 120 and 165 is divisible by 5, so you reduce by that: 

$$\frac{120}{165} = \frac{5}{5} \times \frac{24}{33}$$

2. Since $\frac{5}{5}$ is a factor of one, cancel it. You're left with $\frac{24}{33}$

3. Look to see if 24 and 33 are divisible by a common number.

hero · Answer

Since 24 and 33 are both divisible by 3, reduce the fraction by $\frac{3}{3}$

hero · Answer

$$\frac{3}{3} \times \frac{8}{11}$$

4. Since $\frac{3}{3}$ is a factor of one, cancel it

hero · Answer

You're left with $\frac{8}{11}$

5. Look to see if $\frac{8}{11}$ has any more factors of one. It doesn't because there are no more factors of one, therefore $\frac{8}{11}$ is a prime fraction. Therefore, the fraction has been fully reduced.

waheguru · Answer

Thanks !

waheguru · Answer

So you just look at what you can divide by and go until there is no more that can be done

hero · Answer

Yes, keep looking for factors of one and reduce the fraction by it until you cannot reduce anymore.

waheguru · Answer

Thankyou Sooooooo greatly