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: 27/3
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 3 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 (27; 3) = 3
27/3 = (27 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = 9/1 = 9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
27/3 = 33/3 = (33 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = 9/1 = 9
The fraction: 34/10
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 10 = 2 × 5
- GCF (34; 10) = 2
34/10 = (34 ÷ 2)/(10 ÷ 2) = 17/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
34/10 = (2 × 17)/(2 × 5) = ((2 × 17) ÷ 2)/((2 × 5) ÷ 2) = 17/5