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: 45/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 45 = 32 × 5
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (45; 6) = 3
45/6 = (45 ÷ 3)/(6 ÷ 3) = 15/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
45/6 = (32 × 5)/(2 × 3) = ((32 × 5) ÷ 3)/((2 × 3) ÷ 3) = 15/2
The fraction: 52/13
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 13 is a prime number.
- GCF (52; 13) = 13
52/13 = (52 ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
52/13 = (22 × 13)/13 = ((22 × 13) ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = 4/1 = 4