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: 60/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 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 (60; 10) = 2 × 5 = 10
60/10 = (60 ÷ 10)/(10 ÷ 10) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
60/10 = (22 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 5) = ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = 6/1 = 6
The fraction: 65/20
- 65 = 5 × 13
- 20 = 22 × 5
- GCF (65; 20) = 5
65/20 = (65 ÷ 5)/(20 ÷ 5) = 13/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
65/20 = (5 × 13)/(22 × 5) = ((5 × 13) ÷ 5)/((22 × 5) ÷ 5) = 13/4