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: 152/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 152 = 23 × 19
- 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 (152; 76) = 22 × 19 = 76
152/76 = (152 ÷ 76)/(76 ÷ 76) = 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:
152/76 = (23 × 19)/(22 × 19) = ((23 × 19) ÷ (22 × 19))/((22 × 19) ÷ (22 × 19)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 162/78
- 162 = 2 × 34
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- GCF (162; 78) = 2 × 3 = 6
162/78 = (162 ÷ 6)/(78 ÷ 6) = 27/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
162/78 = (2 × 34)/(2 × 3 × 13) = ((2 × 34) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 27/13