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: 12/18
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 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; 18) = 2 × 3 = 6
12/18 = (12 ÷ 6)/(18 ÷ 6) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
12/18 = (22 × 3)/(2 × 32) = ((22 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 32) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 2/3
The fraction: 14/28
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 28 = 22 × 7
- GCF (14; 28) = 2 × 7 = 14
14/28 = (14 ÷ 14)/(28 ÷ 14) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
14/28 = (2 × 7)/(22 × 7) = ((2 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7))/((22 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7)) = 1/2