Question

How do you simplify the fraction `35/50`?

Answer 1

`7/10`

Explanation:

We have to find a `color(blue)"common factor"` that will divide into 35 and 50 and reduce the fraction.

This process is referred to as `color(blue)"cancelling"`

Since 35 has a last digit of 5 and 50 has a last digit of 0 , this tells us that both numbers are `color(blue)"divisible by 5"`

`rArr35/50=(35÷5)/(50÷5)=7/10larr" in simplest form"`

Usually written as `cancel(35)^7/cancel(50)^(10)=7/10`

A fraction is in `color(blue)"simplest form"` when no other factor apart from 1 will divide into the numerator/denominator.