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: 52/13
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 13 is a prime number.
- 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 (52; 13) = 13
52/13 = (52 ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
52/13 = (22 × 13)/13 = ((22 × 13) ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 60/17
60/17 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 17 is a prime number.
- GCF (60; 17) = 1