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: 110/14
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 110 = 2 × 5 × 11
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 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 (110; 14) = 2
110/14 = (110 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = 55/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
110/14 = (2 × 5 × 11)/(2 × 7) = ((2 × 5 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = 55/7
The fraction: 119/17
- 119 = 7 × 17
- 17 is a prime number.
- GCF (119; 17) = 17
119/17 = (119 ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = 7/1 = 7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
119/17 = (7 × 17)/17 = ((7 × 17) ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = 7/1 = 7