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: 81/27
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 81 = 34
- 27 = 33
- 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 (81; 27) = 33 = 27
81/27 = (81 ÷ 27)/(27 ÷ 27) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
81/27 = 34/33 = (34 ÷ 33)/(33 ÷ 33) = 3/1 = 3
The fraction: 88/30
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (88; 30) = 2
88/30 = (88 ÷ 2)/(30 ÷ 2) = 44/15
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
88/30 = (23 × 11)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((23 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2) = 44/15