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: 20/40
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 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 (20; 40) = 22 × 5 = 20
20/40 = (20 ÷ 20)/(40 ÷ 20) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
20/40 = (22 × 5)/(23 × 5) = ((22 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5))/((23 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5)) = 1/2
The fraction: 26/44
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 44 = 22 × 11
- GCF (26; 44) = 2
26/44 = (26 ÷ 2)/(44 ÷ 2) = 13/22
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
26/44 = (2 × 13)/(22 × 11) = ((2 × 13) ÷ 2)/((22 × 11) ÷ 2) = 13/22