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: 297/3
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 297 = 33 × 11
- 3 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 (297; 3) = 3
297/3 = (297 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = 99/1 = 99
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
297/3 = (33 × 11)/3 = ((33 × 11) ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = 99/1 = 99
The fraction: 301/12
301/12 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 301 = 7 × 43
- 12 = 22 × 3
- GCF (301; 12) = 1