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: 296/37
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 296 = 23 × 37
- 37 is a prime number.
- 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 (296; 37) = 37
296/37 = (296 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 8/1 = 8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
296/37 = (23 × 37)/37 = ((23 × 37) ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 8/1 = 8
The fraction: 305/41
305/41 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 305 = 5 × 61
- 41 is a prime number.
- GCF (305; 41) = 1