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: 12/88
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 88 = 23 × 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 (12; 88) = 22 = 4
12/88 = (12 ÷ 4)/(88 ÷ 4) = 3/22
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
12/88 = (22 × 3)/(23 × 11) = ((22 × 3) ÷ 22)/((23 × 11) ÷ 22) = 3/22
The fraction: 19/95
- 19 is a prime number.
- 95 = 5 × 19
- GCF (19; 95) = 19
19/95 = (19 ÷ 19)/(95 ÷ 19) = 1/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
19/95 = 19/(5 × 19) = (19 ÷ 19)/((5 × 19) ÷ 19) = 1/5