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: 65/130
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 65 = 5 × 13
- 130 = 2 × 5 × 13
- 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 (65; 130) = 5 × 13 = 65
65/130 = (65 ÷ 65)/(130 ÷ 65) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
65/130 = (5 × 13)/(2 × 5 × 13) = ((5 × 13) ÷ (5 × 13))/((2 × 5 × 13) ÷ (5 × 13)) = 1/2
The fraction: 69/132
- 69 = 3 × 23
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- GCF (69; 132) = 3
69/132 = (69 ÷ 3)/(132 ÷ 3) = 23/44
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
69/132 = (3 × 23)/(22 × 3 × 11) = ((3 × 23) ÷ 3)/((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ 3) = 23/44