1. The problem is to simplify the fraction $\frac{5}{12}$. 2. The formula for simplifying a fraction is to divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). 3. Find the GCD of 5 and 12. Since 5 is a prime number and does not divide 12, the GCD is 1. 4. Divide numerator and denominator by the GCD: $$\frac{\cancel{5}}{\cancel{12}} = \frac{5}{12}$$ 5. Since the GCD is 1, the fraction $\frac{5}{12}$ is already in its simplest form. 6. Final answer: $\frac{5}{12}$