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: 18/64
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 64 = 26
- 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 (18; 64) = 2
18/64 = (18 ÷ 2)/(64 ÷ 2) = 9/32
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
18/64 = (2 × 32)/26 = ((2 × 32) ÷ 2)/(26 ÷ 2) = 9/32
The fraction: 24/72
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 72 = 23 × 32
- GCF (24; 72) = 23 × 3 = 24
24/72 = (24 ÷ 24)/(72 ÷ 24) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
24/72 = (23 × 3)/(23 × 32) = ((23 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3))/((23 × 32) ÷ (23 × 3)) = 1/3