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: 41/82
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 41 is a prime number.
- 82 = 2 × 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; 82) = 41
41/82 = (41 ÷ 41)/(82 ÷ 41) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
41/82 = 41/(2 × 41) = (41 ÷ 41)/((2 × 41) ÷ 41) = 1/2
The fraction: 46/90
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- GCF (46; 90) = 2
46/90 = (46 ÷ 2)/(90 ÷ 2) = 23/45
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
46/90 = (2 × 23)/(2 × 32 × 5) = ((2 × 23) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ 2) = 23/45