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: 49/98
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 49 = 72
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 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 (49; 98) = 72 = 49
49/98 = (49 ÷ 49)/(98 ÷ 49) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
49/98 = 72/(2 × 72) = (72 ÷ 72)/((2 × 72) ÷ 72) = 1/2
The fraction: 56/108
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 108 = 22 × 33
- GCF (56; 108) = 22 = 4
56/108 = (56 ÷ 4)/(108 ÷ 4) = 14/27
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
56/108 = (23 × 7)/(22 × 33) = ((23 × 7) ÷ 22)/((22 × 33) ÷ 22) = 14/27