How to reduce (simplify) fraction 5/40 to lowest terms? Write it as a proper fraction, a decimal number, a percentage

Reduce: 5/40

Detailed calculations below:

Introduction. Fractions

A fraction consists of two numbers and a fraction bar: 5/40

The number above the bar is the numerator: 5

The number below the bar is the denominator: 40

The fraction bar means that the two numbers are dividing themselves:
5/40 = 5 ÷ 40

Divide the numerator by the denominator to get fraction's value:
Value = 5 ÷ 40


Introduction. Percent

'Percent (%)' means 'out of one hundred':

p% = p 'out of one hundred',

p% = p/100 = p ÷ 100


Note:

The fraction 100/100 = 100 ÷ 100 = 100% = 1

Multiply a number by the fraction 100/100,
... and its value doesn't change.



To reduce a fraction, divide both its numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.

Integer numbers prime factorization:

Prime Factorization of a number: finding the prime numbers that multiply together to make that number.

5 is a prime number, it cannot be broken down to other prime factors;

40 = 23 × 5;
40 is not a prime, is a composite number;

* Positive integers that are only dividing by themselves and 1 are called prime numbers. A prime number has only two factors: 1 and itself.
* A composite number is a positive integer that has at least one factor (divisor) other than 1 and itself.

>> Integer numbers prime factorization


Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf, hcf, gcd:

Multiply all the common prime factors, by the lowest exponents (if any).

gcf, hcf, gcd (5; 40) = 5


>> Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf, hcf, gcd


Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor.

5/40 =

5/(23 × 5) =

(5 ÷ 5) / ((23 × 5) ÷ 5) =

1/23 =

1/8


The fraction is now reduced to the lowest terms.

1/8 is a proper fraction.

A proper fraction: numerator smaller than denominator.


Rewrite the end result, continued below...

Rewrite the end result:

As a decimal number:

1/8 =

1 ÷ 8 =

0.125 ≈

0.13


As a percentage:

0.125 =

0.125 × 100/100 =

12.5/100 =

12.5%


In other words:

1) Calculate fraction's value.

2) Multiply that number by 100.

3) Add the percent sign % to it.



Final answer
continued below...

Final answer:
:: written in three ways ::

As a proper fraction
(numerator smaller than denominator):
5/40 = 1/8

As a decimal number:
5/40 = 0.125 ≈ 0.13

As a percentage:
5/40 = 12.5%

More operations of this kind:

reduce 5/440 = ? ... 38/40 = ?

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Tutoring: simplifying ordinary math fractions (reducing to the lowest terms)

Steps to simplify an ordinary fraction, to reduce it to its lowest terms:

  • 1) Factor both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction into prime factors.
  • 2) Calculate the greatest common factor, GCF (or the greatest common divisor, GCD) of the fraction's numerator and denominator.
  • 3) Divide both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the greatest common factor, GCF (GCD).
  • In conclusion: the fraction thus obtained is called a reduced fraction or a fraction simplified to its lowest terms.
  • A fraction reduced to its lowest terms cannot be further reduced and it is called an irreducible fraction.

Read the full article >> Simplifying ordinary (common) math fractions (reducing to lower terms): steps to follow and examples

Why reducing (simplifying) fractions to lower terms?

  • When running operations with fractions we are often required to bring them to the same denominator, for example when adding, subtracting or comparing.
  • Sometimes both the numerators and the denominators of those fractions are large numbers and doing calculations with such numbers could be difficult.
  • By simplifying (reducing) a fraction, both the numerator and denominator of a fraction are reduced to smaller values. Well, these values are much easier to work with, reducing the overall effort of working with fractions.

What is a prime number?

What is a composite number?

Prime numbers up to 1,000

Prime numbers up to 10,000

Sieve of Eratosthenes

Euclid's algorithm

Simplifying ordinary (common) math fractions (reducing to lower terms): steps to follow and examples