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: 625/1,000
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 625 = 54
- 1,000 = 23 × 53
- 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 (625; 1,000) = 53 = 125
625/1,000 = (625 ÷ 125)/(1,000 ÷ 125) = 5/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
625/1,000 = 54/(23 × 53) = (54 ÷ 53)/((23 × 53) ÷ 53) = 5/8
The fraction: 1/2
1/2 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 1 cannot be factored into other prime factors.
- 2 is a prime number.
- GCF (1; 2) = 1