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: 6/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (6; 8) = 2
6/8 = (6 ÷ 2)/(8 ÷ 2) = 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
6/8 = (2 × 3)/23 = ((2 × 3) ÷ 2)/(23 ÷ 2) = 3/4
The fraction: 9/18
- 9 = 32
- 18 = 2 × 32
- GCF (9; 18) = 32 = 9
9/18 = (9 ÷ 9)/(18 ÷ 9) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
9/18 = 32/(2 × 32) = (32 ÷ 32)/((2 × 32) ÷ 32) = 1/2