How do I simplify \( \frac{8}{24} \)

To simplify \( \frac{8}{24} \), you can find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator (8) and the denominator (24). The GCD is 8, so you can divide both the top and bottom by 8. This gives you \( \frac{8 \div 8}{24 \div 8} = \frac{1}{3} \). Voilà, the simplified form is \( \frac{1}{3} \)! Did you know that fractions have been used for thousands of years? Ancient Egyptians used them in trade and record-keeping, often writing them as a sum of unit fractions. The way we simplify fractions today stems from these early mathematicians’ efforts to make numbers more manageable and easier to understand! In real-world situations, simplifying fractions can help you find more efficient solutions. For example, if you're cooking and need to adjust a recipe that calls for \( \frac{8}{24} \) cups of an ingredient, simplifying to \( \frac{1}{3} \) allows you to see that you only need 1 cup plus a bit more! So, next time you simplify a fraction, think of it as streamlining your cooking adventures too!