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: 44/99
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 99 = 32 × 11
- 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; 99) = 11
44/99 = (44 ÷ 11)/(99 ÷ 11) = 4/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
44/99 = (22 × 11)/(32 × 11) = ((22 × 11) ÷ 11)/((32 × 11) ÷ 11) = 4/9
The fraction: 51/102
- 51 = 3 × 17
- 102 = 2 × 3 × 17
- GCF (51; 102) = 3 × 17 = 51
51/102 = (51 ÷ 51)/(102 ÷ 51) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
51/102 = (3 × 17)/(2 × 3 × 17) = ((3 × 17) ÷ (3 × 17))/((2 × 3 × 17) ÷ (3 × 17)) = 1/2