How do you simplify a number?

When asked to simplify something in mathematics, this
generally means bringing it to the most basic, concise form while still meaning the same
thing.

For example, consider the fraction "10/5". This
could be simplified by writing is as "2". There is no way we could further make this
more concise, so we now say it is simplified.

Another
example, consider the fraction "10/15". We notice that we could divide both the
numerator and denominator by 5, giving us "2/3". At this point the numerator and
denominator share no other common factors so the fraction is
simplified.

You can also simplify expressions. For example,
consider "2x + 5x". We notice that both of these terms contain x, so we could simplify
is simply as "7x".

Another example: "(6x  * 2) / 3x" -- we
notice that both that the x's cancel each other out, giving us "(6 * 2) / 3". This could
then be further simplified as "12/3", which could then be finally simplified as
"4".

So to recap, simplifying means bringing
an expression so the simplest form possible, which still representing the same thing.
The approach you take to simplifying an expression will vary from problem to problem,
and may involve things such as reducing fractions and combining like
terms.