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: 418/11
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 418 = 2 × 11 × 19
- 11 is a prime number.
- 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 (418; 11) = 11
418/11 = (418 ÷ 11)/(11 ÷ 11) = 38/1 = 38
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
418/11 = (2 × 11 × 19)/11 = ((2 × 11 × 19) ÷ 11)/(11 ÷ 11) = 38/1 = 38
The fraction: 421/15
421/15 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 421 is a prime number.
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (421; 15) = 1