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: 13/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 13 is a prime number.
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (13; 26) = 13
13/26 = (13 ÷ 13)/(26 ÷ 13) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
13/26 = 13/(2 × 13) = (13 ÷ 13)/((2 × 13) ÷ 13) = 1/2
The fraction: 16/29
16/29 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 16 = 24
- 29 is a prime number.
- GCF (16; 29) = 1