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: 3/54
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 3 is a prime number.
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 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 (3; 54) = 3
3/54 = (3 ÷ 3)/(54 ÷ 3) = 1/18
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
3/54 = 3/(2 × 33) = (3 ÷ 3)/((2 × 33) ÷ 3) = 1/18
The fraction: 12/59
12/59 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 59 is a prime number.
- GCF (12; 59) = 1