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: 6/27
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 27 = 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 (6; 27) = 3
6/27 = (6 ÷ 3)/(27 ÷ 3) = 2/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
6/27 = (2 × 3)/33 = ((2 × 3) ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = 2/9
The fraction: 8/32
- 8 = 23
- 32 = 25
- GCF (8; 32) = 23 = 8
8/32 = (8 ÷ 8)/(32 ÷ 8) = 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
8/32 = 23/25 = (23 ÷ 23)/(25 ÷ 23) = 1/4