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: 308/154
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 308 = 22 × 7 × 11
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 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 (308; 154) = 2 × 7 × 11 = 154
308/154 = (308 ÷ 154)/(154 ÷ 154) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
308/154 = (22 × 7 × 11)/(2 × 7 × 11) = ((22 × 7 × 11) ÷ (2 × 7 × 11))/((2 × 7 × 11) ÷ (2 × 7 × 11)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 314/156
- 314 = 2 × 157
- 156 = 22 × 3 × 13
- GCF (314; 156) = 2
314/156 = (314 ÷ 2)/(156 ÷ 2) = 157/78
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
314/156 = (2 × 157)/(22 × 3 × 13) = ((2 × 157) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3 × 13) ÷ 2) = 157/78