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: 10/5
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 5 is a prime number.
- 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; 5) = 5
10/5 = (10 ÷ 5)/(5 ÷ 5) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
10/5 = (2 × 5)/5 = ((2 × 5) ÷ 5)/(5 ÷ 5) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 19/14
19/14 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 19 is a prime number.
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (19; 14) = 1