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: 172/43
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 172 = 22 × 43
- 43 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 (172; 43) = 43
172/43 = (172 ÷ 43)/(43 ÷ 43) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
172/43 = (22 × 43)/43 = ((22 × 43) ÷ 43)/(43 ÷ 43) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 182/49
- 182 = 2 × 7 × 13
- 49 = 72
- GCF (182; 49) = 7
182/49 = (182 ÷ 7)/(49 ÷ 7) = 26/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
182/49 = (2 × 7 × 13)/72 = ((2 × 7 × 13) ÷ 7)/(72 ÷ 7) = 26/7