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: 141/42
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 141 = 3 × 47
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- 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 (141; 42) = 3
141/42 = (141 ÷ 3)/(42 ÷ 3) = 47/14
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
141/42 = (3 × 47)/(2 × 3 × 7) = ((3 × 47) ÷ 3)/((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ 3) = 47/14
The fraction: 144/48
- 144 = 24 × 32
- 48 = 24 × 3
- GCF (144; 48) = 24 × 3 = 48
144/48 = (144 ÷ 48)/(48 ÷ 48) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
144/48 = (24 × 32)/(24 × 3) = ((24 × 32) ÷ (24 × 3))/((24 × 3) ÷ (24 × 3)) = 3/1 = 3