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: 46/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 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 (46; 92) = 2 × 23 = 46
46/92 = (46 ÷ 46)/(92 ÷ 46) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
46/92 = (2 × 23)/(22 × 23) = ((2 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23))/((22 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23)) = 1/2
The fraction: 54/96
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 96 = 25 × 3
- GCF (54; 96) = 2 × 3 = 6
54/96 = (54 ÷ 6)/(96 ÷ 6) = 9/16
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
54/96 = (2 × 33)/(25 × 3) = ((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 3))/((25 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 9/16