Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
- To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
The fraction: 10/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 24 = 23 × 3
- Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
- GCF (10; 24) = 2
10/24 = (10 ÷ 2)/(24 ÷ 2) = 5/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
10/24 = (2 × 5)/(23 × 3) = ((2 × 5) ÷ 2)/((23 × 3) ÷ 2) = 5/12
The fraction: 17/34
- 17 is a prime number.
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (17; 34) = 17
17/34 = (17 ÷ 17)/(34 ÷ 17) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
17/34 = 17/(2 × 17) = (17 ÷ 17)/((2 × 17) ÷ 17) = 1/2