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: 86/44
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 86 = 2 × 43
- 44 = 22 × 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 (86; 44) = 2
86/44 = (86 ÷ 2)/(44 ÷ 2) = 43/22
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
86/44 = (2 × 43)/(22 × 11) = ((2 × 43) ÷ 2)/((22 × 11) ÷ 2) = 43/22
The fraction: 94/47
- 94 = 2 × 47
- 47 is a prime number.
- GCF (94; 47) = 47
94/47 = (94 ÷ 47)/(47 ÷ 47) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
94/47 = (2 × 47)/47 = ((2 × 47) ÷ 47)/(47 ÷ 47) = 2/1 = 2