To make ratios easier to understand, here are some simple steps you can follow:

1. Find Common Factors:

   • Look for the biggest number that can divide both parts of the ratio. For example, in the ratio 12:8, the biggest number that fits is 4. This number is called the greatest common divisor (GCD).

2. Divide Both Parts:

   • Now, take each part of the ratio and divide it by the GCD. So, 12 divided by 4 gives you 3, and 8 divided by 4 gives you 2. This means the new ratio is 3:2.

3. Use Prime Factorization:

   • Break down each number into its prime factors (the basic building blocks of the number) to see what they have in common.

By using these methods, you can write the ratio in the simplest way possible!