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: 184/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 184 = 23 × 23
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 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 (184; 92) = 22 × 23 = 92
184/92 = (184 ÷ 92)/(92 ÷ 92) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
184/92 = (23 × 23)/(22 × 23) = ((23 × 23) ÷ (22 × 23))/((22 × 23) ÷ (22 × 23)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 186/97
186/97 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 186 = 2 × 3 × 31
- 97 is a prime number.
- GCF (186; 97) = 1