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: 250/25
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 250 = 2 × 53
- 25 = 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 (250; 25) = 52 = 25
250/25 = (250 ÷ 25)/(25 ÷ 25) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
250/25 = (2 × 53)/52 = ((2 × 53) ÷ 52)/(52 ÷ 52) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction: 252/34
- 252 = 22 × 32 × 7
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (252; 34) = 2
252/34 = (252 ÷ 2)/(34 ÷ 2) = 126/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
252/34 = (22 × 32 × 7)/(2 × 17) = ((22 × 32 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 17) ÷ 2) = 126/17