Expert: John Zalewski - 2/6/2012

Question
How do you find Ratio in simplelest form? my questions are
40:5   27:3

Answer
Hello, Carissa.

To write a ratio in its simplest form, divide each side of the ratio by the largest number that will evenly divide into both numbers.

So, for 40:5, the largest number that evenly divides into both sides is 5 (40/5 = 8; 5/5 = 1). Therefore, the answer is 8:1.

For 27:3, the largest number that evenly divides into both sides is 3 (27/3 = 9; 3/3 = 1). Therefore, this ratio written in its simplest form is 9:1.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
John