Simplify 2/4

Reduce the fraction 2/4 to its lowest terms with a complete step-by-step solution.

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

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1 Identify the Fraction

We need to simplify the fraction 2/4 to its lowest terms.

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

\frac{2}{4} = ?

Step 2 Find Factors of the Numerator

First, let's find all factors of 2 (the numerator).

Factors are numbers that divide evenly into 2.

\text{Factors of } 2: 1, 2

Step 3 Find Factors of the Denominator

Now let's find all factors of 4 (the denominator).

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

Step 4 Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

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

The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest of these: 2

We will divide both the numerator and denominator by 2.

\text{GCF}(2, 4) = 2

Step 5 Divide Both by the GCF

Divide the numerator by 2: 2 ÷ 2 = 1

Divide the denominator by 2: 4 ÷ 2 = 2

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

Step 6 Final Answer

The simplified fraction is 1/2

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

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

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