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: 135/27
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 135 = 33 × 5
- 27 = 33
- 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 (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
The fraction: 140/30
- 140 = 22 × 5 × 7
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (140; 30) = 2 × 5 = 10
140/30 = (140 ÷ 10)/(30 ÷ 10) = 14/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
140/30 = (22 × 5 × 7)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((22 × 5 × 7) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = 14/3