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: 27/81
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 81 = 34
- 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; 81) = 33 = 27
27/81 = (27 ÷ 27)/(81 ÷ 27) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
27/81 = 33/34 = (33 ÷ 33)/(34 ÷ 33) = 1/3
The fraction: 34/84
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- GCF (34; 84) = 2
34/84 = (34 ÷ 2)/(84 ÷ 2) = 17/42
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
34/84 = (2 × 17)/(22 × 3 × 7) = ((2 × 17) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ 2) = 17/42