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: 58/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 8 = 23
- 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 (58; 8) = 2
58/8 = (58 ÷ 2)/(8 ÷ 2) = 29/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
58/8 = (2 × 29)/23 = ((2 × 29) ÷ 2)/(23 ÷ 2) = 29/4
The fraction: 60/12
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 12 = 22 × 3
- GCF (60; 12) = 22 × 3 = 12
60/12 = (60 ÷ 12)/(12 ÷ 12) = 5/1 = 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
60/12 = (22 × 3 × 5)/(22 × 3) = ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3)) = 5/1 = 5