What’s 27/162 reduced to lowest terms?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To reduce the fraction ( \frac{27}{162} ) to its lowest terms, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator (27) and the denominator (162).
Step 1: Find the GCD
- Factor the numbers:
- The prime factorization of 27 is:
[
27 = 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 3^3
] - The prime factorization of 162 is:
[
162 = 2 \times 81 = 2 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 2 \times 3^4
]
- Identify common factors:
The common factors between 27 and 162 are based on the factor (3). The lowest power of (3) present in both factorizations is (3^3). - Calculate the GCD:
Therefore, the GCD of 27 and 162 is:
[
\text{GCD} = 3^3 = 27
]
Step 2: Reduce the Fraction
Now, we can divide both the numerator and denominator by their GCD:
[
\frac{27 \div 27}{162 \div 27} = \frac{1}{6}
]
Final Result
Thus, the fraction ( \frac{27}{162} ) reduced to its lowest terms is:
[
\frac{1}{6}
]
Explanation of the Process
Reducing fractions is an essential skill in mathematics that involves simplifying a fraction so that the numerator and denominator share no common factors other than 1. This process not only makes calculations easier but also provides a clearer representation of ratios or divisions.
To reduce a fraction, finding the GCD is critical. The GCD is the largest number that can divide both the numerator and the denominator without leaving a remainder. Various methods exist to find the GCD, including prime factorization, Euclidean algorithm, or listing factors.
After obtaining the GCD, you divide both parts of the fraction by this value. The resulting fraction is in its simplest form. Understanding and applying these steps can enhance your mathematical proficiency and help in real-world applications, such as scaling recipes, comparing proportions, or dealing with ratios in various contexts.