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: 744/186
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 744 = 23 × 3 × 31
- 186 = 2 × 3 × 31
- 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 (744; 186) = 2 × 3 × 31 = 186
744/186 = (744 ÷ 186)/(186 ÷ 186) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
744/186 = (23 × 3 × 31)/(2 × 3 × 31) = ((23 × 3 × 31) ÷ (2 × 3 × 31))/((2 × 3 × 31) ÷ (2 × 3 × 31)) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 746/193
746/193 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 746 = 2 × 373
- 193 is a prime number.
- GCF (746; 193) = 1