Question

How do you simplify the fraction `3/18`?

Answer 1

`1/6`

Explanation:

In order to cancel out fractions, we need to have the same number, or expression, in the denominator. This because any number, except for `0`, divided by itself gives `1`.

Now, we need to find a number, in both the denominator and numerator, which is the same. We can find this number to be `3`, but we have to rewrite the fraction.

`3/18=(1xx3)/(6xx3)`

Now we have a number appearing in the numerator and denominator. So we can separate the fraction and simplify it.

`3/18=(1xx3)/(6xx3)=1/6xx3/3=1/6xx1=1/6`

Answer 2

`1/6`

Explanation:

Notice that `3xx6=18`. So 3 is a common factor.

Divide top and bottom by 3

`(3-:3)/(18-:3) = 1/6`