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: 3/9
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 3 is a prime number.
- 9 = 32
- 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; 9) = 3
3/9 = (3 ÷ 3)/(9 ÷ 3) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
3/9 = 3/32 = (3 ÷ 3)/(32 ÷ 3) = 1/3
The fraction: 13/14
13/14 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 13 is a prime number.
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (13; 14) = 1