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: 34/17
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 17 is a prime number.
- 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 (34; 17) = 17
34/17 = (34 ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = 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:
34/17 = (2 × 17)/17 = ((2 × 17) ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 39/24
- 39 = 3 × 13
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (39; 24) = 3
39/24 = (39 ÷ 3)/(24 ÷ 3) = 13/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
39/24 = (3 × 13)/(23 × 3) = ((3 × 13) ÷ 3)/((23 × 3) ÷ 3) = 13/8