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: 282/51
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 282 = 2 × 3 × 47
- 51 = 3 × 17
- 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 (282; 51) = 3
282/51 = (282 ÷ 3)/(51 ÷ 3) = 94/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
282/51 = (2 × 3 × 47)/(3 × 17) = ((2 × 3 × 47) ÷ 3)/((3 × 17) ÷ 3) = 94/17
The fraction: 290/58
- 290 = 2 × 5 × 29
- 58 = 2 × 29
- GCF (290; 58) = 2 × 29 = 58
290/58 = (290 ÷ 58)/(58 ÷ 58) = 5/1 = 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
290/58 = (2 × 5 × 29)/(2 × 29) = ((2 × 5 × 29) ÷ (2 × 29))/((2 × 29) ÷ (2 × 29)) = 5/1 = 5