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: 128/22
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 128 = 27
- 22 = 2 × 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 (128; 22) = 2
128/22 = (128 ÷ 2)/(22 ÷ 2) = 64/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
128/22 = 27/(2 × 11) = (27 ÷ 2)/((2 × 11) ÷ 2) = 64/11
The fraction: 135/27
- 135 = 33 × 5
- 27 = 33
- GCF (135; 27) = 33 = 27
135/27 = (135 ÷ 27)/(27 ÷ 27) = 5/1 = 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
135/27 = (33 × 5)/33 = ((33 × 5) ÷ 33)/(33 ÷ 33) = 5/1 = 5