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: 38/546
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 546 = 2 × 3 × 7 × 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 (38; 546) = 2
38/546 = (38 ÷ 2)/(546 ÷ 2) = 19/273
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
38/546 = (2 × 19)/(2 × 3 × 7 × 13) = ((2 × 19) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 7 × 13) ÷ 2) = 19/273
The fraction: 46/552
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 552 = 23 × 3 × 23
- GCF (46; 552) = 2 × 23 = 46
46/552 = (46 ÷ 46)/(552 ÷ 46) = 1/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
46/552 = (2 × 23)/(23 × 3 × 23) = ((2 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23))/((23 × 3 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23)) = 1/12