Reduce

Reduce is a term often used in various fields such as mathematics, cooking, and waste management. In each context, it carries a different meaning but generally implies a process of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

Mathematics

In mathematics, to reduce is to simplify an equation or expression without changing its value. This process is often used in algebra and calculus to make complex equations more manageable. For example, the fraction 4/8 can be reduced to 1/2 by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 4 in this case.

Cooking

In cooking, reduce refers to the process of thickening and intensifying the flavor of a liquid mixture such as a soup, sauce, wine, or juice by simmering or boiling. The reduction is achieved by evaporation, which leaves the mixture with a more concentrated flavor and a thicker consistency.

Waste Management

In the context of waste management, reduce is one of the three R's of waste hierarchy - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It refers to the strategies of limiting the amount of waste produced by minimizing the use of non-renewable resources. This can be achieved through various methods such as buying in bulk, choosing products with less packaging, and using reusable instead of disposable items.

See Also

• Simplify (mathematics)
• Cooking techniques
• Waste hierarchy