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: 16/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 16 = 24
- 8 = 23
- 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 (16; 8) = 23 = 8
16/8 = (16 ÷ 8)/(8 ÷ 8) = 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:
16/8 = 24/23 = (24 ÷ 23)/(23 ÷ 23) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 24/10
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 10 = 2 × 5
- GCF (24; 10) = 2
24/10 = (24 ÷ 2)/(10 ÷ 2) = 12/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
24/10 = (23 × 3)/(2 × 5) = ((23 × 3) ÷ 2)/((2 × 5) ÷ 2) = 12/5