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: 144/72
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 144 = 24 × 32
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 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 (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
The fraction: 150/76
- 150 = 2 × 3 × 52
- 76 = 22 × 19
- GCF (150; 76) = 2
150/76 = (150 ÷ 2)/(76 ÷ 2) = 75/38
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
150/76 = (2 × 3 × 52)/(22 × 19) = ((2 × 3 × 52) ÷ 2)/((22 × 19) ÷ 2) = 75/38