Simplify 4/8

Reduce the fraction 4/8 to its lowest terms with a complete step-by-step solution.

Answer: 4/8 = \frac{1}{2}

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1 Identify the Fraction

We need to simplify the fraction 4/8 to its lowest terms.

A fraction is in lowest terms when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

\frac{4}{8} = ?

Step 2 Find Factors of the Numerator

First, let's find all factors of 4 (the numerator).

Factors are numbers that divide evenly into 4.

\text{Factors of } 4: 1, 2, 4

Step 3 Find Factors of the Denominator

Now let's find all factors of 8 (the denominator).

\text{Factors of } 8: 1, 2, 4, 8

Step 4 Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The common factors of 4 and 8 are: 1, 2, 4

The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest of these: 4

We will divide both the numerator and denominator by 4.

\text{GCF}(4, 8) = 4

Step 5 Divide Both by the GCF

Divide the numerator by 4: 4 ÷ 4 = 1

Divide the denominator by 4: 8 ÷ 4 = 2

\frac{4}{8} = \frac{4 \div 4}{8 \div 4} = \frac{1}{2}

Step 6 Final Answer

The simplified fraction is 1/2

We can verify: 1 × 4 = 4 and 2 × 4 = 8 ✓

1 and 2 have no common factors, so this is fully simplified.

\frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2}