The process of converting a fraction or mixed number to an equivalent fraction or mixed number in which the greatest common factor of the numerator and the denominator of the fraction is one.

• A. Reduce
• B. Compute
• C. Simplify
• D. Convert

Answer: (C)

Simplifying fractions means turning a fraction or mixed number into its simplest form by dividing the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor. When you do this, you get a fraction whose numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1 (their greatest common factor is 1).

For example, 8/12 becomes 2/3 because both numbers share a factor of 4, and 8 ÷ 4 = 2 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3. For a mixed number like 6 8/12, you first simplify the fractional part: 8/12 reduces to 2/3, so it becomes 6 2/3. This is why this process is called simplifying.

The term captures the idea of expressing the same value in the most reduced, easiest-to-work-with form.