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: 77/154
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 77 = 7 × 11
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 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 (77; 154) = 7 × 11 = 77
77/154 = (77 ÷ 77)/(154 ÷ 77) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
77/154 = (7 × 11)/(2 × 7 × 11) = ((7 × 11) ÷ (7 × 11))/((2 × 7 × 11) ÷ (7 × 11)) = 1/2
The fraction: 82/156
- 82 = 2 × 41
- 156 = 22 × 3 × 13
- GCF (82; 156) = 2
82/156 = (82 ÷ 2)/(156 ÷ 2) = 41/78
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
82/156 = (2 × 41)/(22 × 3 × 13) = ((2 × 41) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3 × 13) ÷ 2) = 41/78