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: 12/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 100 = 22 × 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 (12; 100) = 22 = 4
12/100 = (12 ÷ 4)/(100 ÷ 4) = 3/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
12/100 = (22 × 3)/(22 × 52) = ((22 × 3) ÷ 22)/((22 × 52) ÷ 22) = 3/25
The fraction: 2/1,000
- 2 is a prime number.
- 1,000 = 23 × 53
- GCF (2; 1,000) = 2
2/1,000 = (2 ÷ 2)/(1,000 ÷ 2) = 1/500
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
2/1,000 = 2/(23 × 53) = (2 ÷ 2)/((23 × 53) ÷ 2) = 1/500