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: 11/33
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 11 is a prime number.
- 33 = 3 × 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; 33) = 11
11/33 = (11 ÷ 11)/(33 ÷ 11) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
11/33 = 11/(3 × 11) = (11 ÷ 11)/((3 × 11) ÷ 11) = 1/3
The fraction: 19/43
19/43 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 19 is a prime number.
- 43 is a prime number.
- GCF (19; 43) = 1