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: 4/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 4 = 22
- 8 = 23
- 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; 8) = 22 = 4
4/8 = (4 ÷ 4)/(8 ÷ 4) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
4/8 = 22/23 = (22 ÷ 22)/(23 ÷ 22) = 1/2
The fraction: 14/18
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 18 = 2 × 32
- GCF (14; 18) = 2
14/18 = (14 ÷ 2)/(18 ÷ 2) = 7/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
14/18 = (2 × 7)/(2 × 32) = ((2 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32) ÷ 2) = 7/9