Simplify Fractions Calculator: Reduce a Fraction to its Most Basic Form

Written by:
PK

On this page is a fraction simplifier or a simplify fractions tool. Enter your faction and we will attempt to reduce it to its most basic form to make it easier to work with in equations.

Not quite the right tool? Here are the related calculators:

Simplify Fractions Calculator

How to Simplify a Fraction (Plus an Example)

A simple fraction (or vulgar fraction) is a fraction expressed as an integer over another integer – for example, 1/3, 2/5, and 3/9.

But as you can see, sometimes simple fractions are equivalent. In this case, both 1/3 and 3/9 are the same number – roughly 33.333%. These are known as equivalent fractions.

For fractions that can be reduced further – while still staying in the simple fraction form – you take the greatest common factor of both. If they both share a non-1 factor, you can divide the numerator and denominator to find a smaller fraction.

Let's look at 3/9's prime factorization and list out all primes:

\frac{3}{9}=\\3: 3\\9: 3*3

As you can see, both numerator and denominator can be divided by 3. Now, let's reduce 3/9:

\frac{(\frac{3}{3})}{(\frac{9}{3})} = \frac{1}{3}

And now as you can see, 1/3 and 3/9 are equivalent fractions.

How to Use the Fraction Simplifier

To simplify a fraction, simply enter the numerator/top number (on the left side) and the denominator/lower number (on the right side) of the input but. Then, hit the Simply Fraction button and we'll reduce it to the most basic simple fraction.

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PK

PK started DQYDJ in 2009 to research and discuss finance and investing and help answer financial questions. He's expanded DQYDJ to build visualizations, calculators, and interactive tools.

PK lives in New Hampshire with his wife, kids, and dog.

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