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: 657/30
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 657 = 32 × 73
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 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 (657; 30) = 3
657/30 = (657 ÷ 3)/(30 ÷ 3) = 219/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
657/30 = (32 × 73)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((32 × 73) ÷ 3)/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 3) = 219/10
The fraction: 666/37
- 666 = 2 × 32 × 37
- 37 is a prime number.
- GCF (666; 37) = 37
666/37 = (666 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 18/1 = 18
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
666/37 = (2 × 32 × 37)/37 = ((2 × 32 × 37) ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 18/1 = 18