If a sum, a level, or an idea is irreducible, you cannot make it smaller or simpler without losing what it is. In maths, an irreducible fraction is already in its simplest form — you cannot divide the top and bottom by the same number any more.

If a sum, a level, or an idea is irreducible如果一個總數、一個程度、或一個想法是irreducible（無法再簡化）的, you cannot make it smaller or simpler without losing what it is你就不能在不失去它本質的情況下把它變小或變簡單。In maths在數學裡, an irreducible fraction一個irreducible（不可約）的分數 is already in its simplest form已經是最簡的形式了 — you cannot divide the top and bottom by the same number any more你沒辦法再用同一個數字去除分子跟分母了。

People also use it outside maths, a little more loosely: they talk about an irreducible minimum (the smallest amount you still need) or say a problem is irreducible to mean you cannot boil it down to something easier.

People人們 also use it outside maths, a little more loosely在數學以外也會比較鬆散地用這個字: they talk about an irreducible minimum他們會說irreducible minimum（不能再少的最低量）(the smallest amount you still need指你還是需要的最小量) or say a problem is irreducible或說一個問題是irreducible to mean you cannot boil it down to something easier意思是沒辦法把它簡化成更簡單的東西。

It is a word for serious writing and for class, not for the playground. Though actually, in ordinary speech most people would just say you cannot simplify it, or that is as small as it gets.

It它 is a word for serious writing and for class是用在正式寫作和課堂上的字, not for the playground不是操場上會用的字。Though actually不過事實上, in ordinary speech在日常口語裡 most people would just say大多數人就只會說 you cannot simplify it這個沒辦法再簡化了, or that is as small as it gets或這已經是最小的了。