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: 150/75
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 150 = 2 × 3 × 52
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 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 (150; 75) = 3 × 52 = 75
150/75 = (150 ÷ 75)/(75 ÷ 75) = 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:
150/75 = (2 × 3 × 52)/(3 × 52) = ((2 × 3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 52))/((3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 52)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 154/82
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 82 = 2 × 41
- GCF (154; 82) = 2
154/82 = (154 ÷ 2)/(82 ÷ 2) = 77/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
154/82 = (2 × 7 × 11)/(2 × 41) = ((2 × 7 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 41) ÷ 2) = 77/41