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: 37/111
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 37 is a prime number.
- 111 = 3 × 37
- 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 (37; 111) = 37
37/111 = (37 ÷ 37)/(111 ÷ 37) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
37/111 = 37/(3 × 37) = (37 ÷ 37)/((3 × 37) ÷ 37) = 1/3
The fraction: 42/119
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- 119 = 7 × 17
- GCF (42; 119) = 7
42/119 = (42 ÷ 7)/(119 ÷ 7) = 6/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
42/119 = (2 × 3 × 7)/(7 × 17) = ((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ 7)/((7 × 17) ÷ 7) = 6/17