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: 18/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 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; 76) = 2
18/76 = (18 ÷ 2)/(76 ÷ 2) = 9/38
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
18/76 = (2 × 32)/(22 × 19) = ((2 × 32) ÷ 2)/((22 × 19) ÷ 2) = 9/38
The fraction: 28/84
- 28 = 22 × 7
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- GCF (28; 84) = 22 × 7 = 28
28/84 = (28 ÷ 28)/(84 ÷ 28) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
28/84 = (22 × 7)/(22 × 3 × 7) = ((22 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7))/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = 1/3