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: 152/19
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 152 = 23 × 19
- 19 is a prime number.
- 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 (152; 19) = 19
152/19 = (152 ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = 8/1 = 8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
152/19 = (23 × 19)/19 = ((23 × 19) ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = 8/1 = 8
The fraction: 161/26
161/26 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 161 = 7 × 23
- 26 = 2 × 13
- GCF (161; 26) = 1