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: 120/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 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 (120; 12) = 22 × 3 = 12
120/12 = (120 ÷ 12)/(12 ÷ 12) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
120/12 = (23 × 3 × 5)/(22 × 3) = ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3)) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction: 127/22
127/22 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 127 is a prime number.
- 22 = 2 × 11
- GCF (127; 22) = 1