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: 8/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 8 = 23
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (8; 24) = 23 = 8
8/24 = (8 ÷ 8)/(24 ÷ 8) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
8/24 = 23/(23 × 3) = (23 ÷ 23)/((23 × 3) ÷ 23) = 1/3
The fraction: 14/34
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (14; 34) = 2
14/34 = (14 ÷ 2)/(34 ÷ 2) = 7/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
14/34 = (2 × 7)/(2 × 17) = ((2 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 17) ÷ 2) = 7/17