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: 186/31
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 186 = 2 × 3 × 31
- 31 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 (186; 31) = 31
186/31 = (186 ÷ 31)/(31 ÷ 31) = 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:
186/31 = (2 × 3 × 31)/31 = ((2 × 3 × 31) ÷ 31)/(31 ÷ 31) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction: 191/33
191/33 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 191 is a prime number.
- 33 = 3 × 11
- GCF (191; 33) = 1