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: 596/54
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 596 = 22 × 149
- 54 = 2 × 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 (596; 54) = 2
596/54 = (596 ÷ 2)/(54 ÷ 2) = 298/27
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
596/54 = (22 × 149)/(2 × 33) = ((22 × 149) ÷ 2)/((2 × 33) ÷ 2) = 298/27
The fraction: 600/60
- 600 = 23 × 3 × 52
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- GCF (600; 60) = 22 × 3 × 5 = 60
600/60 = (600 ÷ 60)/(60 ÷ 60) = 10/1 = 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
600/60 = (23 × 3 × 52)/(22 × 3 × 5) = ((23 × 3 × 52) ÷ (22 × 3 × 5))/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3 × 5)) = 10/1 = 10