Reduce Fraction 2/4, Simplify It to the Lowest Terms. Online Calculator
Reduce (simplify) the fraction 2/4 to the lowest terms
To completely reduce (simplify) a fraction to its lowest terms, divide the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by their greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd)
To calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd), we perform the prime factorization of the two numbers.
The prime factorization of the two numbers:
The prime factorization of a number: finding the prime numbers that multiply together to make that number.
2 is a prime number and cannot be broken down into other prime factors.
4 = 22
4 is not a prime number but a composite one.
* The natural numbers that are only divisible by 1 and themselves are called prime numbers. A prime number has exactly two factors: 1 and itself.
* A composite number is a natural number that has at least one other factor than 1 and itself.
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd):
Multiply all the common prime factors, taken by their smallest exponents (powers).
gcf, hcf, gcd (2; 4) = 2
Divide the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by their greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd).
2/4 =
2/22 =
(2 ÷ 2) / (22 ÷ 2) =
1/2
The fraction is now completely reduced (simplified) to its lowest terms.
A fraction that is completely reduced (simplified) to its lowest terms (to its basic representation, to its simplest form) has the smallest possible numerator and denominator.
A fully reduced fraction is called an irreducible fraction and its numerator and denominator are coprime numbers.
1/2 is a proper fraction.
A proper fraction: the numerator is smaller than the denominator.
Rewrite the result.
As a decimal number:
Divide the numerator of the fraction by its denominator.
1/2 =
1 ÷ 2 =
0.5
As a percentage:
Multiply the fraction's value by the fraction 100/100
100/100 = 100 ÷ 100 = 100% = 1
Multiply a number by the fraction 100/100,
... and its value will not change, only the form.
0.5 =
0.5 × 100/100 =
50/100 =
50%
The final answer:
:: Written in three ways ::
As a proper fraction:
2/4 = 1/2
As a decimal number:
2/4 = 0.5
As a percentage:
2/4 = 50%
Other similar operations with fractions reducing (simplification):