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: 348/174
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 348 = 22 × 3 × 29
- 174 = 2 × 3 × 29
- 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 (348; 174) = 2 × 3 × 29 = 174
348/174 = (348 ÷ 174)/(174 ÷ 174) = 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:
348/174 = (22 × 3 × 29)/(2 × 3 × 29) = ((22 × 3 × 29) ÷ (2 × 3 × 29))/((2 × 3 × 29) ÷ (2 × 3 × 29)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 358/180
- 358 = 2 × 179
- 180 = 22 × 32 × 5
- GCF (358; 180) = 2
358/180 = (358 ÷ 2)/(180 ÷ 2) = 179/90
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
358/180 = (2 × 179)/(22 × 32 × 5) = ((2 × 179) ÷ 2)/((22 × 32 × 5) ÷ 2) = 179/90