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: 75/35
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 35 = 5 × 7
- 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 (75; 35) = 5
75/35 = (75 ÷ 5)/(35 ÷ 5) = 15/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
75/35 = (3 × 52)/(5 × 7) = ((3 × 52) ÷ 5)/((5 × 7) ÷ 5) = 15/7
The fraction: 78/39
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- 39 = 3 × 13
- GCF (78; 39) = 3 × 13 = 39
78/39 = (78 ÷ 39)/(39 ÷ 39) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
78/39 = (2 × 3 × 13)/(3 × 13) = ((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ (3 × 13))/((3 × 13) ÷ (3 × 13)) = 2/1 = 2