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: 748/187
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 748 = 22 × 11 × 17
- 187 = 11 × 17
- 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 (748; 187) = 11 × 17 = 187
748/187 = (748 ÷ 187)/(187 ÷ 187) = 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:
748/187 = (22 × 11 × 17)/(11 × 17) = ((22 × 11 × 17) ÷ (11 × 17))/((11 × 17) ÷ (11 × 17)) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 750/191
750/191 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 750 = 2 × 3 × 53
- 191 is a prime number.
- GCF (750; 191) = 1