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: 268/67
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 268 = 22 × 67
- 67 is a prime number.
- 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 (268; 67) = 67
268/67 = (268 ÷ 67)/(67 ÷ 67) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
268/67 = (22 × 67)/67 = ((22 × 67) ÷ 67)/(67 ÷ 67) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 277/74
277/74 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 277 is a prime number.
- 74 = 2 × 37
- GCF (277; 74) = 1