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: 25/75
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 25 = 52
- 75 = 3 × 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 (25; 75) = 52 = 25
25/75 = (25 ÷ 25)/(75 ÷ 25) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
25/75 = 52/(3 × 52) = (52 ÷ 52)/((3 × 52) ÷ 52) = 1/3
The fraction: 31/82
31/82 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 31 is a prime number.
- 82 = 2 × 41
- GCF (31; 82) = 1