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: 228/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 228 = 22 × 3 × 19
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (228; 6) = 2 × 3 = 6
228/6 = (228 ÷ 6)/(6 ÷ 6) = 38/1 = 38
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
228/6 = (22 × 3 × 19)/(2 × 3) = ((22 × 3 × 19) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 38/1 = 38
The fraction: 234/11
234/11 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 234 = 2 × 32 × 13
- 11 is a prime number.
- GCF (234; 11) = 1