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: 60/30
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 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; 30) = 2 × 3 × 5 = 30
60/30 = (60 ÷ 30)/(30 ÷ 30) = 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:
60/30 = (22 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3 × 5)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 63/36
- 63 = 32 × 7
- 36 = 22 × 32
- GCF (63; 36) = 32 = 9
63/36 = (63 ÷ 9)/(36 ÷ 9) = 7/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
63/36 = (32 × 7)/(22 × 32) = ((32 × 7) ÷ 32)/((22 × 32) ÷ 32) = 7/4