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: 200/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 200 = 23 × 52
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 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 (200; 50) = 2 × 52 = 50
200/50 = (200 ÷ 50)/(50 ÷ 50) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
200/50 = (23 × 52)/(2 × 52) = ((23 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52))/((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52)) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 205/52
205/52 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 205 = 5 × 41
- 52 = 22 × 13
- GCF (205; 52) = 1