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: 190/4
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 190 = 2 × 5 × 19
- 4 = 22
- 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 (190; 4) = 2
190/4 = (190 ÷ 2)/(4 ÷ 2) = 95/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
190/4 = (2 × 5 × 19)/22 = ((2 × 5 × 19) ÷ 2)/(22 ÷ 2) = 95/2
The fraction: 198/6
- 198 = 2 × 32 × 11
- 6 = 2 × 3
- GCF (198; 6) = 2 × 3 = 6
198/6 = (198 ÷ 6)/(6 ÷ 6) = 33/1 = 33
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
198/6 = (2 × 32 × 11)/(2 × 3) = ((2 × 32 × 11) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 33/1 = 33