Do you have to reduce fractions to simplest from when finding probability, or can you just leave it?
If it was blatantly obvious that a fraction could be reduced, then I would expect them to be reduced, e.g. 15/60
but if the reduction was rather obscure, like 2023/2737 and you did not have a calculator handy, leave it alone.
BTW, on most calculators you will find a key "a b/c", many students have no idea what it is.
enter 2023
a b/c
enter 2737
=
what do you get?
When finding probabilities, it is generally recommended to reduce fractions to their simplest form. This is because expressing probabilities in the simplest form makes them easier to work with and compare. It also provides a clearer representation of the ratio of favorable outcomes to total outcomes. However, in some cases, leaving fractions as they are may be acceptable, especially if the resulting decimal is more appropriate or if there is a specific requirement to keep the fraction in a certain form. Ultimately, it depends on the context and specific instructions provided.
When finding the probability, it is generally not necessary to reduce fractions to their simplest form. You can leave them as they are, unless specifically instructed otherwise. Let me explain how to find the probability and when simplifying fractions might be useful.
To find the probability of an event, you typically divide the number of favorable outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes. This can sometimes result in fractions that are not in their simplest form. For example, if you have 2 favorable outcomes out of 6 possible outcomes, the probability would be expressed as 2/6.
However, in certain cases, simplifying fractions might be helpful or preferred. Simplifying a fraction means reducing it to its lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor. It can make the fraction easier to work with and understand.
For instance, if we simplify the fraction 2/6, we find that the greatest common divisor of 2 and 6 is 2. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 2 gives us 1/3. So, in this case, simplifying the fraction 2/6 simplifies the representation of the probability as well, making it more concise and easier to interpret.
Therefore, while you can leave fractions as they are when finding probabilities, simplifying fractions might be a useful step in some cases to make the probability representation simpler and more understandable.