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: 84/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 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 (84; 24) = 22 × 3 = 12
84/24 = (84 ÷ 12)/(24 ÷ 12) = 7/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
84/24 = (22 × 3 × 7)/(23 × 3) = ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 3))/((23 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3)) = 7/2
The fraction: 87/29
- 87 = 3 × 29
- 29 is a prime number.
- GCF (87; 29) = 29
87/29 = (87 ÷ 29)/(29 ÷ 29) = 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:
87/29 = (3 × 29)/29 = ((3 × 29) ÷ 29)/(29 ÷ 29) = 3/1 = 3