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: 276/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 276 = 22 × 3 × 23
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 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 (276; 92) = 22 × 23 = 92
276/92 = (276 ÷ 92)/(92 ÷ 92) = 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:
276/92 = (22 × 3 × 23)/(22 × 23) = ((22 × 3 × 23) ÷ (22 × 23))/((22 × 23) ÷ (22 × 23)) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction: 284/98
- 284 = 22 × 71
- 98 = 2 × 72
- GCF (284; 98) = 2
284/98 = (284 ÷ 2)/(98 ÷ 2) = 142/49
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
284/98 = (22 × 71)/(2 × 72) = ((22 × 71) ÷ 2)/((2 × 72) ÷ 2) = 142/49