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: 11/22
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 11 is a prime number.
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 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 (11; 22) = 11
11/22 = (11 ÷ 11)/(22 ÷ 11) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
11/22 = 11/(2 × 11) = (11 ÷ 11)/((2 × 11) ÷ 11) = 1/2
The fraction: 20/25
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 25 = 52
- GCF (20; 25) = 5
20/25 = (20 ÷ 5)/(25 ÷ 5) = 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
20/25 = (22 × 5)/52 = ((22 × 5) ÷ 5)/(52 ÷ 5) = 4/5