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: 54/172
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 172 = 22 × 43
- 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; 172) = 2
54/172 = (54 ÷ 2)/(172 ÷ 2) = 27/86
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
54/172 = (2 × 33)/(22 × 43) = ((2 × 33) ÷ 2)/((22 × 43) ÷ 2) = 27/86
The fraction: 59/177
- 59 is a prime number.
- 177 = 3 × 59
- GCF (59; 177) = 59
59/177 = (59 ÷ 59)/(177 ÷ 59) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
59/177 = 59/(3 × 59) = (59 ÷ 59)/((3 × 59) ÷ 59) = 1/3