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: 300/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 300 = 22 × 3 × 52
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 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 (300; 50) = 2 × 52 = 50
300/50 = (300 ÷ 50)/(50 ÷ 50) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
300/50 = (22 × 3 × 52)/(2 × 52) = ((22 × 3 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52))/((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52)) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction: 305/55
- 305 = 5 × 61
- 55 = 5 × 11
- GCF (305; 55) = 5
305/55 = (305 ÷ 5)/(55 ÷ 5) = 61/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
305/55 = (5 × 61)/(5 × 11) = ((5 × 61) ÷ 5)/((5 × 11) ÷ 5) = 61/11