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: 1,020/39
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 1,020 = 22 × 3 × 5 × 17
- 39 = 3 × 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 (1,020; 39) = 3
1,020/39 = (1,020 ÷ 3)/(39 ÷ 3) = 340/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
1,020/39 = (22 × 3 × 5 × 17)/(3 × 13) = ((22 × 3 × 5 × 17) ÷ 3)/((3 × 13) ÷ 3) = 340/13
The fraction: 1,029/49
- 1,029 = 3 × 73
- 49 = 72
- GCF (1,029; 49) = 72 = 49
1,029/49 = (1,029 ÷ 49)/(49 ÷ 49) = 21/1 = 21
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
1,029/49 = (3 × 73)/72 = ((3 × 73) ÷ 72)/(72 ÷ 72) = 21/1 = 21