How to Simplify the Fraction 16/3 (and as a Mixed Fraction)

In this video, we will simplify (reduce) the fraction 16/3 into its simplest form. The key to simplifying fractions is to find a number that goes into both the numerator and denominator.

The number 1 will divide evenly into both 16 and 3.

We can list all of the factors that divide evenly into 16 and 3. When we do so, we see that 1 is the highest common factor for both numbers.

If we divide 16 by 1, we get 16.
If we divide 3 by 1, we get 3.

This means that we can simplify 16/3 to 16/3. The fractions are equivalent. If you check on a calculator, you will find that they have the same decimal value. So we haven't changed the quantity, just the way the fraction is expressed.

Now, if we want to convert 16/3 to a mixed number, here's how we do it:

To get 16/3 as a mixed number, we divide the numerator (16) by the denominator (3). The result is 5 with a remainder of 1. This means that 16/3 can be written as the mixed number 5 1/3. The whole number 5 represents how many times 3 goes into 16, and the fraction 1/3 represents the remainder.