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: 22/40
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 40 = 23 × 5
- GCF (22; 40) = 2
22/40 = (22 ÷ 2)/(40 ÷ 2) = 11/20
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
22/40 = (2 × 11)/(23 × 5) = ((2 × 11) ÷ 2)/((23 × 5) ÷ 2) = 11/20