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: 150/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 150 = 2 × 3 × 52
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 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; 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
The fraction: 160/80
- 160 = 25 × 5
- 80 = 24 × 5
- GCF (160; 80) = 24 × 5 = 80
160/80 = (160 ÷ 80)/(80 ÷ 80) = 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:
160/80 = (25 × 5)/(24 × 5) = ((25 × 5) ÷ (24 × 5))/((24 × 5) ÷ (24 × 5)) = 2/1 = 2