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: 384/64
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 384 = 27 × 3
- 64 = 26
- 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 (384; 64) = 26 = 64
384/64 = (384 ÷ 64)/(64 ÷ 64) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
384/64 = (27 × 3)/26 = ((27 × 3) ÷ 26)/(26 ÷ 26) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction: 388/68
- 388 = 22 × 97
- 68 = 22 × 17
- GCF (388; 68) = 22 = 4
388/68 = (388 ÷ 4)/(68 ÷ 4) = 97/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
388/68 = (22 × 97)/(22 × 17) = ((22 × 97) ÷ 22)/((22 × 17) ÷ 22) = 97/17