Which choice shows the correct way to write 16/24 in lowest terms?A. 16/24 = (8 + 8)/(8 + 16) =8/16 =1/2B.16/24 =(4*4)/(4 *6) =4/6C. 16/24 =(8*2)/(8*3) =2/3

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator. In this case, find the GCD of 16 and 24.
2. Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCD to simplify the fraction.
3. For option A, check if the simplification process is correct: 16/24 = (8 + 8)/(8 + 16) = 8/16 = 1/2.
4. For option B, check if the simplification process is correct: 16/24 = (4*4)/(4*6) = 4/6.
5. For option C, check if the simplification process is correct: 16/24 = (8*2)/(8*3) = 2/3.

Key Concepts

Simplifying Fractions

Simplifying fractions involves reducing them to their lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example, to simplify 16/24, we find the GCD of 16 and 24, which is 8, and divide both by 8 to get 2/3.

Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)

The greatest common divisor is the largest positive integer that divides two or more integers without leaving a remainder. Identifying the GCD is crucial for simplifying fractions, as it allows us to reduce the fraction to its simplest form. For 16 and 24, the GCD is 8.

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same value. For instance, 16/24, 8/12, and 2/3 are all equivalent because they simplify to the same ratio. Understanding equivalent fractions is essential for recognizing when a fraction has been correctly simplified.