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: 170/34
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 170 = 2 × 5 × 17
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 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 (170; 34) = 2 × 17 = 34
170/34 = (170 ÷ 34)/(34 ÷ 34) = 5/1 = 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
170/34 = (2 × 5 × 17)/(2 × 17) = ((2 × 5 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17))/((2 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17)) = 5/1 = 5
The fraction: 176/37
176/37 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 176 = 24 × 11
- 37 is a prime number.
- GCF (176; 37) = 1