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: 14/78
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 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 (14; 78) = 2
14/78 = (14 ÷ 2)/(78 ÷ 2) = 7/39
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
14/78 = (2 × 7)/(2 × 3 × 13) = ((2 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ 2) = 7/39
The fraction: 16/80
- 16 = 24
- 80 = 24 × 5
- GCF (16; 80) = 24 = 16
16/80 = (16 ÷ 16)/(80 ÷ 16) = 1/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
16/80 = 24/(24 × 5) = (24 ÷ 24)/((24 × 5) ÷ 24) = 1/5