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: 128/32
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 128 = 27
- 32 = 25
- 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; 32) = 25 = 32
128/32 = (128 ÷ 32)/(32 ÷ 32) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
128/32 = 27/25 = (27 ÷ 25)/(25 ÷ 25) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 132/40
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- 40 = 23 × 5
- GCF (132; 40) = 22 = 4
132/40 = (132 ÷ 4)/(40 ÷ 4) = 33/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
132/40 = (22 × 3 × 11)/(23 × 5) = ((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ 22)/((23 × 5) ÷ 22) = 33/10