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: 44/1,050
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 1,050 = 2 × 3 × 52 × 7
- 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 (44; 1,050) = 2
44/1,050 = (44 ÷ 2)/(1,050 ÷ 2) = 22/525
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
44/1,050 = (22 × 11)/(2 × 3 × 52 × 7) = ((22 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 52 × 7) ÷ 2) = 22/525
The fraction: 46/1,058
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 1,058 = 2 × 232
- GCF (46; 1,058) = 2 × 23 = 46
46/1,058 = (46 ÷ 46)/(1,058 ÷ 46) = 1/23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
46/1,058 = (2 × 23)/(2 × 232) = ((2 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23))/((2 × 232) ÷ (2 × 23)) = 1/23