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: 176/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 176 = 24 × 11
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (176; 24) = 23 = 8
176/24 = (176 ÷ 8)/(24 ÷ 8) = 22/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
176/24 = (24 × 11)/(23 × 3) = ((24 × 11) ÷ 23)/((23 × 3) ÷ 23) = 22/3
The fraction: 182/26
- 182 = 2 × 7 × 13
- 26 = 2 × 13
- GCF (182; 26) = 2 × 13 = 26
182/26 = (182 ÷ 26)/(26 ÷ 26) = 7/1 = 7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
182/26 = (2 × 7 × 13)/(2 × 13) = ((2 × 7 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13))/((2 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13)) = 7/1 = 7