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: 736/32
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 736 = 25 × 23
- 32 = 25
- 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 (736; 32) = 25 = 32
736/32 = (736 ÷ 32)/(32 ÷ 32) = 23/1 = 23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
736/32 = (25 × 23)/25 = ((25 × 23) ÷ 25)/(25 ÷ 25) = 23/1 = 23
The fraction: 744/35
744/35 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 744 = 23 × 3 × 31
- 35 = 5 × 7
- GCF (744; 35) = 1