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: 243/27
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 243 = 35
- 27 = 33
- 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 (243; 27) = 33 = 27
243/27 = (243 ÷ 27)/(27 ÷ 27) = 9/1 = 9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
243/27 = 35/33 = (35 ÷ 33)/(33 ÷ 33) = 9/1 = 9
The fraction: 247/37
247/37 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 247 = 13 × 19
- 37 is a prime number.
- GCF (247; 37) = 1