Which of the fraction is in its 1 point simplest form? * 13/15 12/15 8/12
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The fraction that is in its simplest form is:
✅ 13/15
🧮 What Does “Simplest Form” Mean?
A fraction is in its simplest form when the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number) have no common factors other than 1. In other words, the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator must be 1.
Let’s analyze each fraction:
1️⃣ 13/15
- Factors of 13: 1, 13 (13 is a prime number)
- Factors of 15: 1, 3, 5, 15
- Common factor: only 1
- ✅ This fraction is already in its simplest form.
2️⃣ 12/15
- Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
- Factors of 15: 1, 3, 5, 15
- GCD: 3
- Simplified form: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, 15 ÷ 3 = 5 → 4/5
- ❌ Not in simplest form.
3️⃣ 8/12
- Factors of 8: 1, 2, 4, 8
- Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
- GCD: 4
- Simplified form: 8 ÷ 4 = 2, 12 ÷ 4 = 3 → 2/3
- ❌ Not in simplest form.
🧠 Why This Matters
Simplifying fractions is essential in mathematics because it:
- Makes calculations easier and more accurate.
- Helps in comparing fractions.
- Reveals proportional relationships more clearly.
For example, if you’re working with measurements, ratios, or probabilities, using the simplest form ensures clarity and avoids unnecessary complexity.
So, among the given options, only 13/15 is already reduced to its lowest terms. The other two can be simplified further, which means they are not in their simplest form.
