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: 62/140
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 62 = 2 × 31
- 140 = 22 × 5 × 7
- 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 (62; 140) = 2
62/140 = (62 ÷ 2)/(140 ÷ 2) = 31/70
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
62/140 = (2 × 31)/(22 × 5 × 7) = ((2 × 31) ÷ 2)/((22 × 5 × 7) ÷ 2) = 31/70
The fraction: 71/142
- 71 is a prime number.
- 142 = 2 × 71
- GCF (71; 142) = 71
71/142 = (71 ÷ 71)/(142 ÷ 71) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
71/142 = 71/(2 × 71) = (71 ÷ 71)/((2 × 71) ÷ 71) = 1/2