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: 258/33
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 258 = 2 × 3 × 43
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 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 (258; 33) = 3
258/33 = (258 ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = 86/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
258/33 = (2 × 3 × 43)/(3 × 11) = ((2 × 3 × 43) ÷ 3)/((3 × 11) ÷ 3) = 86/11
The fraction: 266/38
- 266 = 2 × 7 × 19
- 38 = 2 × 19
- GCF (266; 38) = 2 × 19 = 38
266/38 = (266 ÷ 38)/(38 ÷ 38) = 7/1 = 7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
266/38 = (2 × 7 × 19)/(2 × 19) = ((2 × 7 × 19) ÷ (2 × 19))/((2 × 19) ÷ (2 × 19)) = 7/1 = 7