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: 656/86
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 656 = 24 × 41
- 86 = 2 × 43
- 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 (656; 86) = 2
656/86 = (656 ÷ 2)/(86 ÷ 2) = 328/43
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
656/86 = (24 × 41)/(2 × 43) = ((24 × 41) ÷ 2)/((2 × 43) ÷ 2) = 328/43
The fraction: 658/94
- 658 = 2 × 7 × 47
- 94 = 2 × 47
- GCF (658; 94) = 2 × 47 = 94
658/94 = (658 ÷ 94)/(94 ÷ 94) = 7/1 = 7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
658/94 = (2 × 7 × 47)/(2 × 47) = ((2 × 7 × 47) ÷ (2 × 47))/((2 × 47) ÷ (2 × 47)) = 7/1 = 7