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: 28/14
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 28 = 22 × 7
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 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 (28; 14) = 2 × 7 = 14
28/14 = (28 ÷ 14)/(14 ÷ 14) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
28/14 = (22 × 7)/(2 × 7) = ((22 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7))/((2 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 34/24
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (34; 24) = 2
34/24 = (34 ÷ 2)/(24 ÷ 2) = 17/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
34/24 = (2 × 17)/(23 × 3) = ((2 × 17) ÷ 2)/((23 × 3) ÷ 2) = 17/12