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: 32/156
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 32 = 25
- 156 = 22 × 3 × 13
- 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 (32; 156) = 22 = 4
32/156 = (32 ÷ 4)/(156 ÷ 4) = 8/39
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
32/156 = 25/(22 × 3 × 13) = (25 ÷ 22)/((22 × 3 × 13) ÷ 22) = 8/39
The fraction: 40/160
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 160 = 25 × 5
- GCF (40; 160) = 23 × 5 = 40
40/160 = (40 ÷ 40)/(160 ÷ 40) = 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
40/160 = (23 × 5)/(25 × 5) = ((23 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5))/((25 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5)) = 1/4