How do you simplify odd fractions?

Question

exp:19/12

Answer 1

The same way you're supposed to simplifly even ones.
Find a common factor in the numerator and denominator and cancel them out.

Answer 2

It depends on who is asking. Some would say that it is simplified. Another way of simplifiying this example would be to divide 19 by 12. Therefore, 12 will go into 19 one time with a remainder of 7. Thus the answer is 1 7/12.

If it had been 18/12 you would do it the same way and would have come up with the answer 1 6/12 which could have been simpified again to 1 1/2

Answer 3

That's already as simple as it's going to get - 19 and 12 share no common factors other than 1.

Now if you had instead written 21/12, you could simplify that to 7/4, since both numbers would have a common factor of 3. In general, you want to find the greatest common factor of both numbers, and then divide them by it.

Answer 4

It is the same way you simplify even fractions. First find a common factor(a number the will go in another number w/out fractions...e.g 3 is a factor of 9 and 21) for both numerator and denominator and see how many times it "will go in" both number. If it makes you feel any better, many students hate fractions but if you keep practicing it WILL get easier i promise =]

Answer 5

19 is a prime number, so you can't simplify it... except to say 1 7/12

Answer 6

that's as simple as it is possible for it to be, unless you can round it down to 18/12. In your example, 19 is a prime number.