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: 54/108
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 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 (54; 108) = 2 × 33 = 54
54/108 = (54 ÷ 54)/(108 ÷ 54) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
54/108 = (2 × 33)/(22 × 33) = ((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 33))/((22 × 33) ÷ (2 × 33)) = 1/2
The fraction: 57/111
- 57 = 3 × 19
- 111 = 3 × 37
- GCF (57; 111) = 3
57/111 = (57 ÷ 3)/(111 ÷ 3) = 19/37
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
57/111 = (3 × 19)/(3 × 37) = ((3 × 19) ÷ 3)/((3 × 37) ÷ 3) = 19/37