Question

Martina tried to perform the following division and reduce to lowest terms: 16/24

a) 2/3
b) 3/2
c) 4/6
d) 1/2

Answer 1

To reduce the fraction 16/24 to its lowest terms, divide both the numerator (16) and the denominator (24) by their greatest common factor, which is 8. The simplified fraction is 2/3.

Step-by-step explanation:

Martina is working on simplifying the fraction 16/24. To reduce this fraction to its lowest terms, we need to find the greatest common factor (GCF) that both the numerator and the denominator share. Both 16 and 24 are divisible by 8. Dividing the numerator and denominator by 8 we get:

16 ÷ 8 = 2
24 ÷ 8 = 3

So, the simplification of 16/24 when reduced to the lowest terms is 2/3, which matches option (a) of the given choices.

This method of simplifying fractions is fundamental in mathematics and helps students understand the importance of factoring and simplification in arithmetic operations.