Question

What do we divide the numerator and denominator by to simplify

12/30 to lowest terms? (What is the largest number we can divide both the numerator and denominator by?)

Answer 1

Divide the numerator and denominator by 6:

`(12)/(30) = (2)/(5)`

Explanation:

12 = 2 × 2 × 3

30 = 2 × 3 × 5

GCD of 12 and 30 = 2 × 3 = 6

Answer 2

The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

The factors of 30 are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, and 30.

The largest number that both 12 and 30 have in common is 6.

So, we can divide both the numerator and denominator by 6:

12/30 ÷ 6/6 = 2/5

Therefore, 12/30 simplified to lowest terms is 2/5.