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: 556/40
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 556 = 22 × 139
- 40 = 23 × 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 (556; 40) = 22 = 4
556/40 = (556 ÷ 4)/(40 ÷ 4) = 139/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
556/40 = (22 × 139)/(23 × 5) = ((22 × 139) ÷ 22)/((23 × 5) ÷ 22) = 139/10
The fraction: 564/47
- 564 = 22 × 3 × 47
- 47 is a prime number.
- GCF (564; 47) = 47
564/47 = (564 ÷ 47)/(47 ÷ 47) = 12/1 = 12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
564/47 = (22 × 3 × 47)/47 = ((22 × 3 × 47) ÷ 47)/(47 ÷ 47) = 12/1 = 12