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: 26/58
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 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 (26; 58) = 2
26/58 = (26 ÷ 2)/(58 ÷ 2) = 13/29
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
26/58 = (2 × 13)/(2 × 29) = ((2 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 29) ÷ 2) = 13/29
The fraction: 31/62
- 31 is a prime number.
- 62 = 2 × 31
- GCF (31; 62) = 31
31/62 = (31 ÷ 31)/(62 ÷ 31) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
31/62 = 31/(2 × 31) = (31 ÷ 31)/((2 × 31) ÷ 31) = 1/2