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: 20/28
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 28 = 22 × 7
- GCF (20; 28) = 22 = 4
20/28 = (20 ÷ 4)/(28 ÷ 4) = 5/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
20/28 = (22 × 5)/(22 × 7) = ((22 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 7) ÷ 22) = 5/7