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: 100/52
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 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 (100; 52) = 22 = 4
100/52 = (100 ÷ 4)/(52 ÷ 4) = 25/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
100/52 = (22 × 52)/(22 × 13) = ((22 × 52) ÷ 22)/((22 × 13) ÷ 22) = 25/13
The fraction: 108/54
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 54 = 2 × 33
- GCF (108; 54) = 2 × 33 = 54
108/54 = (108 ÷ 54)/(54 ÷ 54) = 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:
108/54 = (22 × 33)/(2 × 33) = ((22 × 33) ÷ (2 × 33))/((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 33)) = 2/1 = 2