Question

How do you simplify the fraction \[\dfrac{{10}}{{16}}\] ?

Answer 1

Hint: We know that fraction is nothing but ratio of two numbers defined as part of the whole. Simplifying a fraction requires dividing numerator and denominator by the same number. This same number is nothing but a common factor of both the numbers. By common factor we mean it should be the highest common factor. And then we simplify it means the numerator and denominator should have 1 as only the common factor. This is simplified form such that the numbers further cannot be divided by any number or they are not having any common number.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Given the fraction is \[\dfrac{{10}}{{16}}\]
Now let’s find the factors of them.
Factors of 10 are \[1,2,5,10\]
Factors of 16 are \[1,2,4,8,16\]
Then the highest common factor is 2. Then let’s divide both the numbers by 2.
\[\dfrac{{10 \div 2}}{{16 \div 2}} = \dfrac{5}{8}\]
Now we obtained a new fraction \[\dfrac{5}{8}\] . Such that there is no common factor in them. So this is a simplified answer.
Thus the simplified fraction is \[\dfrac{5}{8}\] .
So, the correct answer is “\[\dfrac{5}{8}\]”.

Note: Simplifying fraction sometimes can also mean division of the numbers such that the answer is in decimal form.
\[\dfrac{5}{8} = 5 \div 8\]
On dividing we get,
\[\dfrac{5}{8} = 0.625\]
If both the options are available then both are correct.
Fractions are of different types. Like fractions, proper fractions, improper fractions, mixed fraction etc.
Mixed fraction: It is a combination of whole number and fraction. It is written as \[a\dfrac{b}{c}\] where \[a\] is the whole number part and the fraction is \[\dfrac{b}{c}\] .
Improper fraction: It is the type of fraction having numerator greater than denominator.
Proper fraction: It is the type of fraction having numerator less than denominator.