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: 27/9
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 9 = 32
- 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; 9) = 32 = 9
27/9 = (27 ÷ 9)/(9 ÷ 9) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
27/9 = 33/32 = (33 ÷ 32)/(32 ÷ 32) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction: 33/18
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 18 = 2 × 32
- GCF (33; 18) = 3
33/18 = (33 ÷ 3)/(18 ÷ 3) = 11/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
33/18 = (3 × 11)/(2 × 32) = ((3 × 11) ÷ 3)/((2 × 32) ÷ 3) = 11/6