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: 511/21
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 511 = 7 × 73
- 21 = 3 × 7
- 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 (511; 21) = 7
511/21 = (511 ÷ 7)/(21 ÷ 7) = 73/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
511/21 = (7 × 73)/(3 × 7) = ((7 × 73) ÷ 7)/((3 × 7) ÷ 7) = 73/3
The fraction: 513/27
- 513 = 33 × 19
- 27 = 33
- GCF (513; 27) = 33 = 27
513/27 = (513 ÷ 27)/(27 ÷ 27) = 19/1 = 19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
513/27 = (33 × 19)/33 = ((33 × 19) ÷ 33)/(33 ÷ 33) = 19/1 = 19