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An irreducible fraction (or fraction in lowest terms, simplest form or reduced fraction) is a fraction in which the numerator and denominator are integers that have no other common divisors than 1 (and −1, when negative numbers are considered). [1]
In mathematics, reduction refers to the rewriting of an expression into a simpler form. For example, the process of rewriting a fraction into one with the smallest whole-number denominator possible (while keeping the numerator a whole number) is called "reducing a fraction".
For example, the numerators of fractions with common denominators can simply be added, such that + = and that <, since each fraction has the common denominator 12. Without computing a common denominator, it is not obvious as to what 5 12 + 11 18 {\displaystyle {\frac {5}{12}}+{\frac {11}{18}}} equals, or whether 5 12 {\displaystyle {\frac {5 ...
[12] [13] In general, a common fraction is said to be a proper fraction if the absolute value of the fraction is strictly less than one—that is, if the fraction is greater than −1 and less than 1. [14] [15] It is said to be an improper fraction, or sometimes top-heavy fraction, [16] if the absolute value of the fraction is greater than or ...
To calculate a percentage of a percentage, convert both percentages to fractions of 100, or to decimals, and multiply them. For example, 50% of 40% is: 50 / 100 × 40 / 100 = 0.50 × 0.40 = 0.20 = 20 / 100 = 20%. It is not correct to divide by 100 and use the percent sign at the same time; it would literally imply ...
We can reduce the fractions to lowest terms by noting that the two occurrences of b on the left-hand side cancel, as do the two occurrences of d on the right-hand side, leaving =, and we can divide both sides of the equation by any of the elements—in this case we will use d —getting =.
It is also a useful for getting an impression of the size of a rocket: while two rockets with mass fractions of, say, 92% and 95% may appear similar, the corresponding mass ratios of 12.5 and 20 clearly indicate that the latter system requires much more propellant. Typical multistage rockets have mass ratios
This form of fraction remained in use for centuries. [27] [30] Positional decimal fractions appear for the first time in a book by the Arab mathematician Abu'l-Hasan al-Uqlidisi written in the 10th century. [31] The Jewish mathematician Immanuel Bonfils used decimal fractions around 1350 but did not develop any notation to represent them. [32]