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: 4/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 4 = 22
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 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 (4; 10) = 2
4/10 = (4 ÷ 2)/(10 ÷ 2) = 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
4/10 = 22/(2 × 5) = (22 ÷ 2)/((2 × 5) ÷ 2) = 2/5
The fraction: 7/14
- 7 is a prime number.
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (7; 14) = 7
7/14 = (7 ÷ 7)/(14 ÷ 7) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
7/14 = 7/(2 × 7) = (7 ÷ 7)/((2 × 7) ÷ 7) = 1/2