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: 260/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 260 = 22 × 5 × 13
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (260; 26) = 2 × 13 = 26
260/26 = (260 ÷ 26)/(26 ÷ 26) = 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:
260/26 = (22 × 5 × 13)/(2 × 13) = ((22 × 5 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13))/((2 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13)) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction: 268/33
268/33 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 268 = 22 × 67
- 33 = 3 × 11
- GCF (268; 33) = 1