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: 136/64
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 136 = 23 × 17
- 64 = 26
- 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 (136; 64) = 23 = 8
136/64 = (136 ÷ 8)/(64 ÷ 8) = 17/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
136/64 = (23 × 17)/26 = ((23 × 17) ÷ 23)/(26 ÷ 23) = 17/8
The fraction: 144/72
- 144 = 24 × 32
- 72 = 23 × 32
- GCF (144; 72) = 23 × 32 = 72
144/72 = (144 ÷ 72)/(72 ÷ 72) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
144/72 = (24 × 32)/(23 × 32) = ((24 × 32) ÷ (23 × 32))/((23 × 32) ÷ (23 × 32)) = 2/1 = 2