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: 5/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 5 is a prime number.
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 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 (5; 10) = 5
5/10 = (5 ÷ 5)/(10 ÷ 5) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
5/10 = 5/(2 × 5) = (5 ÷ 5)/((2 × 5) ÷ 5) = 1/2
The fraction: 8/18
- 8 = 23
- 18 = 2 × 32
- GCF (8; 18) = 2
8/18 = (8 ÷ 2)/(18 ÷ 2) = 4/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
8/18 = 23/(2 × 32) = (23 ÷ 2)/((2 × 32) ÷ 2) = 4/9