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: 456/16
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 456 = 23 × 3 × 19
- 16 = 24
- 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 (456; 16) = 23 = 8
456/16 = (456 ÷ 8)/(16 ÷ 8) = 57/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
456/16 = (23 × 3 × 19)/24 = ((23 × 3 × 19) ÷ 23)/(24 ÷ 23) = 57/2
The fraction: 460/20
- 460 = 22 × 5 × 23
- 20 = 22 × 5
- GCF (460; 20) = 22 × 5 = 20
460/20 = (460 ÷ 20)/(20 ÷ 20) = 23/1 = 23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
460/20 = (22 × 5 × 23)/(22 × 5) = ((22 × 5 × 23) ÷ (22 × 5))/((22 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5)) = 23/1 = 23