To simplify the fraction [tex]\(\frac{18}{42}\)[/tex], let's go through the steps together:
1. Identify the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD):
- The first step in simplifying a fraction is to find the greatest common divisor of the numerator (18) and the denominator (42). The GCD of 18 and 42 is 6.
2. Divide Both Numerator and Denominator by the GCD:
- Once we have the GCD, we divide both the numerator and the denominator by this number.
- Simplifying the numerator: [tex]\(18 \div 6 = 3\)[/tex]
- Simplifying the denominator: [tex]\(42 \div 6 = 7\)[/tex]
3. Write the Simplified Fraction:
- After dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their GCD, we get the simplified fraction:
[tex]\[
\frac{18}{42} = \frac{3}{7}
\][/tex]
So, [tex]\(\frac{18}{42}\)[/tex] simplifies to [tex]\(\frac{3}{7}\)[/tex].
