Ratio & Proportion

Walkthrough

Simplify the ratio 12 : 18.

1. 1.To simplify a ratio, divide both terms by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
2. 2.Find the GCD of 12 and 18: the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 and the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, so the GCD is 6.
3. 3.Divide both terms by 6: 12 ÷ 6 = 2 and 18 ÷ 6 = 3.
4. 4.The simplified ratio is 2 : 3.
5. 5.Verify: 2 and 3 share no common factor other than 1, so the ratio is fully simplified.