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: 42/847
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- 847 = 7 × 112
- 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 (42; 847) = 7
42/847 = (42 ÷ 7)/(847 ÷ 7) = 6/121
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
42/847 = (2 × 3 × 7)/(7 × 112) = ((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ 7)/((7 × 112) ÷ 7) = 6/121
The fraction: 45/855
- 45 = 32 × 5
- 855 = 32 × 5 × 19
- GCF (45; 855) = 32 × 5 = 45
45/855 = (45 ÷ 45)/(855 ÷ 45) = 1/19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
45/855 = (32 × 5)/(32 × 5 × 19) = ((32 × 5) ÷ (32 × 5))/((32 × 5 × 19) ÷ (32 × 5)) = 1/19