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: 104/52
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 104 = 23 × 13
- 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 (104; 52) = 22 × 13 = 52
104/52 = (104 ÷ 52)/(52 ÷ 52) = 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:
104/52 = (23 × 13)/(22 × 13) = ((23 × 13) ÷ (22 × 13))/((22 × 13) ÷ (22 × 13)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 109/62
109/62 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 109 is a prime number.
- 62 = 2 × 31
- GCF (109; 62) = 1