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: 28/56
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 28 = 22 × 7
- 56 = 23 × 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; 56) = 22 × 7 = 28
28/56 = (28 ÷ 28)/(56 ÷ 28) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
28/56 = (22 × 7)/(23 × 7) = ((22 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7))/((23 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = 1/2
The fraction: 38/60
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- GCF (38; 60) = 2
38/60 = (38 ÷ 2)/(60 ÷ 2) = 19/30
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
38/60 = (2 × 19)/(22 × 3 × 5) = ((2 × 19) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2) = 19/30