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: 48/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 24 = 23 × 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 (48; 24) = 23 × 3 = 24
48/24 = (48 ÷ 24)/(24 ÷ 24) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
48/24 = (24 × 3)/(23 × 3) = ((24 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3))/((23 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 58/34
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (58; 34) = 2
58/34 = (58 ÷ 2)/(34 ÷ 2) = 29/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
58/34 = (2 × 29)/(2 × 17) = ((2 × 29) ÷ 2)/((2 × 17) ÷ 2) = 29/17