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: 64/124
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 64 = 26
- 124 = 22 × 31
- 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 (64; 124) = 22 = 4
64/124 = (64 ÷ 4)/(124 ÷ 4) = 16/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
64/124 = 26/(22 × 31) = (26 ÷ 22)/((22 × 31) ÷ 22) = 16/31
The fraction: 66/132
- 66 = 2 × 3 × 11
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- GCF (66; 132) = 2 × 3 × 11 = 66
66/132 = (66 ÷ 66)/(132 ÷ 66) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
66/132 = (2 × 3 × 11)/(22 × 3 × 11) = ((2 × 3 × 11) ÷ (2 × 3 × 11))/((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ (2 × 3 × 11)) = 1/2