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: 41/123
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 41 is a prime number.
- 123 = 3 × 41
- 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 (41; 123) = 41
41/123 = (41 ÷ 41)/(123 ÷ 41) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
41/123 = 41/(3 × 41) = (41 ÷ 41)/((3 × 41) ÷ 41) = 1/3
The fraction: 51/131
51/131 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 51 = 3 × 17
- 131 is a prime number.
- GCF (51; 131) = 1