How is a ratio simplified to lowest terms?

Both terms are divided by their greatest common divisor (GCD), so 4:8 simplifies to 1:2, the same way a fraction is reduced.

How does solving a proportion work?

Given a:b = c:x, the calculator cross-multiplies (a × x = b × c) and solves for the missing term, so 4:8 = 10:x gives x = 20.

Simplify a ratio to lowest terms and solve proportions.

How this is calculated

Simplified via GCD; proportion solved by cross-multiplication

Assumptions used in this calculation

Simplification method: Ratios are reduced using the GCD of the two (or more) terms, same as fraction simplification.

The ratio calculator simplifies a ratio a:b to lowest terms and solves the proportion a:b = c:x for the unknown value x.

Worked example

Simplify 4:8, solve 4:8 = 10:x

Result: 1:2, x = 20

Was this helpful?

Fraction Calculator

Add, subtract, multiply or divide fractions and simplify the result.

Percentage Calculator

Find what X% of Y is, what percentage X is of Y, or the percentage change between two numbers.