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: 56/108
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 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 (56; 108) = 22 = 4
56/108 = (56 ÷ 4)/(108 ÷ 4) = 14/27
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
56/108 = (23 × 7)/(22 × 33) = ((23 × 7) ÷ 22)/((22 × 33) ÷ 22) = 14/27
The fraction: 58/116
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 116 = 22 × 29
- GCF (58; 116) = 2 × 29 = 58
58/116 = (58 ÷ 58)/(116 ÷ 58) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
58/116 = (2 × 29)/(22 × 29) = ((2 × 29) ÷ (2 × 29))/((22 × 29) ÷ (2 × 29)) = 1/2