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: 6/3
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 3 is a prime number.
- 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; 3) = 3
6/3 = (6 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
6/3 = (2 × 3)/3 = ((2 × 3) ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 15/10
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 10 = 2 × 5
- GCF (15; 10) = 5
15/10 = (15 ÷ 5)/(10 ÷ 5) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
15/10 = (3 × 5)/(2 × 5) = ((3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((2 × 5) ÷ 5) = 3/2