Simplify the ratio 18:24.

Simplify the ratio 18:24.

• A. 3:5
• B. 3:4
• C. 4:3
• D. 2:3

Answer: (B)

To simplify a ratio, keep the same relationship between the two numbers but use the smallest possible whole numbers. Do this by dividing both terms by their greatest common divisor. For 18 and 24, the largest number that divides both is 6. Dividing both terms by 6 gives 18 ÷ 6 = 3 and 24 ÷ 6 = 4, so the ratio becomes 3:4. This preserves the exact same proportion as 18:24, just in its simplest form. The other options don’t keep the same relationship: they would alter how the two parts compare to each other, so they aren’t equivalent to the original ratio.

To simplify a ratio, keep the same relationship between the two numbers but use the smallest possible whole numbers. Do this by dividing both terms by their greatest common divisor.

For 18 and 24, the largest number that divides both is 6. Dividing both terms by 6 gives 18 ÷ 6 = 3 and 24 ÷ 6 = 4, so the ratio becomes 3:4. This preserves the exact same proportion as 18:24, just in its simplest form.

The other options don’t keep the same relationship: they would alter how the two parts compare to each other, so they aren’t equivalent to the original ratio.