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: 188/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 188 = 22 × 47
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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 (188; 36) = 22 = 4
188/36 = (188 ÷ 4)/(36 ÷ 4) = 47/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
188/36 = (22 × 47)/(22 × 32) = ((22 × 47) ÷ 22)/((22 × 32) ÷ 22) = 47/9
The fraction: 195/39
- 195 = 3 × 5 × 13
- 39 = 3 × 13
- GCF (195; 39) = 3 × 13 = 39
195/39 = (195 ÷ 39)/(39 ÷ 39) = 5/1 = 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
195/39 = (3 × 5 × 13)/(3 × 13) = ((3 × 5 × 13) ÷ (3 × 13))/((3 × 13) ÷ (3 × 13)) = 5/1 = 5