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Key Features
Instant Calculation
Get accurate results in real time with our optimized algorithm.
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A ratio compares two quantities, and just like a fraction, it can be simplified to its lowest terms by dividing both sides by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
This calculator finds that GCD and reduces any ratio to its simplest equivalent form.
How it works
Enter the two values of your ratio. The calculator finds their greatest common divisor using the Euclidean algorithm, then divides both values by it to get the simplified ratio.
- Enter value A.
- Enter value B.
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
Simplifying a recipe ratio
A ratio of 24:36 (like 24 cups of flour to 36 cups of water) simplifies to 2:3, since both numbers share a GCD of 12.
Who should use it
- Simplifying recipe, mixture, or scale-model ratios.
- Reducing a ratio for a math or chemistry homework problem.
Industry applications
- Mathematics education
- Cooking, chemistry (mixture ratios), and design (aspect ratios)
Advantages
- Uses the efficient Euclidean algorithm to guarantee the fully simplified result in one step.
- Shows the decimal equivalent alongside the simplified ratio.
Limitations
- Only supports two-part ratios (a:b), not three or more parts.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Dividing only one side of the ratio by a common factor instead of both, which changes the actual proportion.
- Stopping simplification too early by dividing by a common factor that isn't the greatest one.
Best practices
- Use the Euclidean algorithm (or this calculator) to find the true GCD in one step, rather than guessing and checking smaller common factors.
Tips
- A simplified ratio and its original form always represent the exact same proportion — simplifying just makes it easier to read and compare.