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: 24/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 12 = 22 × 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 (24; 12) = 22 × 3 = 12
24/12 = (24 ÷ 12)/(12 ÷ 12) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
24/12 = (23 × 3)/(22 × 3) = ((23 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 32/14
- 32 = 25
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (32; 14) = 2
32/14 = (32 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = 16/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
32/14 = 25/(2 × 7) = (25 ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = 16/7