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: 27/54
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 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; 54) = 33 = 27
27/54 = (27 ÷ 27)/(54 ÷ 27) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
27/54 = 33/(2 × 33) = (33 ÷ 33)/((2 × 33) ÷ 33) = 1/2
The fraction: 30/61
30/61 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 61 is a prime number.
- GCF (30; 61) = 1