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: 19/38
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 19 is a prime number.
- 38 = 2 × 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 (19; 38) = 19
19/38 = (19 ÷ 19)/(38 ÷ 19) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
19/38 = 19/(2 × 19) = (19 ÷ 19)/((2 × 19) ÷ 19) = 1/2
The fraction: 29/46
29/46 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 29 is a prime number.
- 46 = 2 × 23
- GCF (29; 46) = 1