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: 280/28
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 280 = 23 × 5 × 7
- 28 = 22 × 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 (280; 28) = 22 × 7 = 28
280/28 = (280 ÷ 28)/(28 ÷ 28) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
280/28 = (23 × 5 × 7)/(22 × 7) = ((23 × 5 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7))/((22 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction: 286/30
- 286 = 2 × 11 × 13
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (286; 30) = 2
286/30 = (286 ÷ 2)/(30 ÷ 2) = 143/15
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
286/30 = (2 × 11 × 13)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((2 × 11 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2) = 143/15