Write \( \frac{8}{16} \) in lowest terms. Submit Question

To simplify \( \frac{8}{16} \), you can divide both the numerator (8) and the denominator (16) by their greatest common divisor, which is 8. So, \( \frac{8 \div 8}{16 \div 8} = \frac{1}{2} \). Thus, the fraction in lowest terms is \( \frac{1}{2} \). Now, did you know that fractions have been used for thousands of years? The ancient Egyptians had a system that included fractions, but their methods were quite different from what we use today! They represented fractions using unit fractions, which only have 1 as the numerator. This gives a fascinating insight into the evolution of mathematics! In real-world applications, knowing how to simplify fractions can help in cooking, carpentry, and even during budgeting! For example, if a recipe calls for \( \frac{8}{16} \) of a cup of sugar, simplifying it to \( \frac{1}{2} \) cup makes it easier to measure and understand! Plus, it can save you from confusion when doubling or halving recipes!