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: 22/88
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 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 (22; 88) = 2 × 11 = 22
22/88 = (22 ÷ 22)/(88 ÷ 22) = 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
22/88 = (2 × 11)/(23 × 11) = ((2 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11))/((23 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11)) = 1/4
The fraction: 30/95
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 95 = 5 × 19
- GCF (30; 95) = 5
30/95 = (30 ÷ 5)/(95 ÷ 5) = 6/19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
30/95 = (2 × 3 × 5)/(5 × 19) = ((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 19) ÷ 5) = 6/19