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: 40/20
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 20 = 22 × 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 (40; 20) = 22 × 5 = 20
40/20 = (40 ÷ 20)/(20 ÷ 20) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
40/20 = (23 × 5)/(22 × 5) = ((23 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5))/((22 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 50/30
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (50; 30) = 2 × 5 = 10
50/30 = (50 ÷ 10)/(30 ÷ 10) = 5/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
50/30 = (2 × 52)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = 5/3