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: 108/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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 (108; 36) = 22 × 32 = 36
108/36 = (108 ÷ 36)/(36 ÷ 36) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
108/36 = (22 × 33)/(22 × 32) = ((22 × 33) ÷ (22 × 32))/((22 × 32) ÷ (22 × 32)) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction: 115/40
- 115 = 5 × 23
- 40 = 23 × 5
- GCF (115; 40) = 5
115/40 = (115 ÷ 5)/(40 ÷ 5) = 23/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
115/40 = (5 × 23)/(23 × 5) = ((5 × 23) ÷ 5)/((23 × 5) ÷ 5) = 23/8