Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?
To find out, we try dividing it by 2...
Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...
Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:
21
36
÷ 3 =
7
12
Let's try dividing by 3 again...
Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...
Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...
Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...
No good. 11 is larger than 7. So we're done reducing.
There you have it! The final answer is:
2
3
−
1
12
=
7
12
