21/36 simplified

Guri Bee

less than a minute read

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17-10-2024

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Simplifying Fractions: 21/36 Demystified

Have you ever encountered a fraction like 21/36 and wondered how to make it simpler? You're not alone! Simplifying fractions is a fundamental skill in math, and it's easier than you think.

What does it mean to simplify a fraction?

Simplifying a fraction means finding an equivalent fraction that has smaller numbers in the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom). We do this by finding the greatest common factor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator. The GCD is the largest number that divides evenly into both numbers.

Let's simplify 21/36:

1. Find the GCD: Both 21 and 36 are divisible by 3, but is that the greatest common factor? Let's check! We can see that 21 is also divisible by 7 and 36 is divisible by 9.

2. Divide by the GCD: Since 3 is the greatest common factor of 21 and 36, we divide both the numerator and denominator by 3:

   • 21 ÷ 3 = 7
   • 36 ÷ 3 = 12

3. Simplified Fraction: Therefore, 21/36 simplified is 7/12.

Why simplify fractions?

• Easier to understand: Smaller numbers make it easier to visualize the fraction and understand its value.
• Easier to compare: Simplifying fractions makes it easier to compare different fractions and determine which is larger or smaller.
• Foundation for further calculations: In more advanced mathematics, simplified fractions make calculations cleaner and easier to manage.

Additional Tips:

• Prime Factorization: If finding the GCD directly is tricky, you can use prime factorization. Break down the numerator and denominator into their prime factors and then identify the common factors.
• Practice makes perfect: Like any skill, simplifying fractions becomes easier with practice. Try simplifying different fractions yourself!

Example in the real world:

Imagine you're sharing a pizza with three friends. You get 21 slices of a pizza cut into 36 slices. To find your share, you can simplify the fraction 21/36 to 7/12. This means you have 7 out of every 12 slices!

Remember: Simplifying fractions is a useful skill that helps us understand and work with fractions more effectively. With a little practice, you'll be a fraction-simplifying pro in no time!