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: 4,477/37
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 4,477 = 112 × 37
- 37 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 (4,477; 37) = 37
4,477/37 = (4,477 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 121/1 = 121
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
4,477/37 = (112 × 37)/37 = ((112 × 37) ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 121/1 = 121
The fraction: 4,479/42
- 4,479 = 3 × 1,493
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- GCF (4,479; 42) = 3
4,479/42 = (4,479 ÷ 3)/(42 ÷ 3) = 1,493/14
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
4,479/42 = (3 × 1,493)/(2 × 3 × 7) = ((3 × 1,493) ÷ 3)/((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ 3) = 1,493/14