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: 154/77
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 77 = 7 × 11
- 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 (154; 77) = 7 × 11 = 77
154/77 = (154 ÷ 77)/(77 ÷ 77) = 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:
154/77 = (2 × 7 × 11)/(7 × 11) = ((2 × 7 × 11) ÷ (7 × 11))/((7 × 11) ÷ (7 × 11)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 159/85
159/85 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 159 = 3 × 53
- 85 = 5 × 17
- GCF (159; 85) = 1