To reduce a fraction, there are three general steps: factor the numerator, factor the denominator, and cancel out the fractional mixes that have the value of one. The leftover number is the reduced fraction. For example, to reduce 16/56, factor the numerator (16 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2) and factor the denominator (56 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 7); eliminate the 2s (2/2 equals 1):