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: 8/2
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 8 = 23
- 2 is a prime number.
- 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; 2) = 2
8/2 = (8 ÷ 2)/(2 ÷ 2) = 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:
8/2 = 23/2 = (23 ÷ 2)/(2 ÷ 2) = 4/1 = 4
The fraction: 13/4
13/4 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 13 is a prime number.
- 4 = 22
- GCF (13; 4) = 1