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: 174/29
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 174 = 2 × 3 × 29
- 29 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 (174; 29) = 29
174/29 = (174 ÷ 29)/(29 ÷ 29) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
174/29 = (2 × 3 × 29)/29 = ((2 × 3 × 29) ÷ 29)/(29 ÷ 29) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction: 177/36
- 177 = 3 × 59
- 36 = 22 × 32
- GCF (177; 36) = 3
177/36 = (177 ÷ 3)/(36 ÷ 3) = 59/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
177/36 = (3 × 59)/(22 × 32) = ((3 × 59) ÷ 3)/((22 × 32) ÷ 3) = 59/12