A fraction can also be written in simplest form by dividing both the numerator and denominator of the fraction by the greatest common factor.

The greatest common factor of two numbers is the greatest number that can be divided evenly into both numbers.

Example 2:

To find the simplest form of a fraction using the greatest common factor:

First, list all the factors for both the numerator and denominator.

factors of 6: 1, 2, 3, 6
factors of 8: 1, 2, 4, 8

Since 2 is the largest number that is on both factor lists, 2 is the greatest common factor for both 6 and 8.

Divide both the numerator and denominator by 2, the greatest common factor.

Thus, the simplest form of is .