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: 72/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 8 = 23
- 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 (72; 8) = 23 = 8
72/8 = (72 ÷ 8)/(8 ÷ 8) = 9/1 = 9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
72/8 = (23 × 32)/23 = ((23 × 32) ÷ 23)/(23 ÷ 23) = 9/1 = 9
The fraction: 82/14
- 82 = 2 × 41
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (82; 14) = 2
82/14 = (82 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = 41/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
82/14 = (2 × 41)/(2 × 7) = ((2 × 41) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = 41/7