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: 108/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 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; 50) = 2
108/50 = (108 ÷ 2)/(50 ÷ 2) = 54/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
108/50 = (22 × 33)/(2 × 52) = ((22 × 33) ÷ 2)/((2 × 52) ÷ 2) = 54/25
The fraction: 118/59
- 118 = 2 × 59
- 59 is a prime number.
- GCF (118; 59) = 59
118/59 = (118 ÷ 59)/(59 ÷ 59) = 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:
118/59 = (2 × 59)/59 = ((2 × 59) ÷ 59)/(59 ÷ 59) = 2/1 = 2