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: 3/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 3 is a prime number.
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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; 6) = 3
3/6 = (3 ÷ 3)/(6 ÷ 3) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
3/6 = 3/(2 × 3) = (3 ÷ 3)/((2 × 3) ÷ 3) = 1/2
The fraction: 6/15
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (6; 15) = 3
6/15 = (6 ÷ 3)/(15 ÷ 3) = 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
6/15 = (2 × 3)/(3 × 5) = ((2 × 3) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5) ÷ 3) = 2/5