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: 88/176
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 176 = 24 × 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 (88; 176) = 23 × 11 = 88
88/176 = (88 ÷ 88)/(176 ÷ 88) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
88/176 = (23 × 11)/(24 × 11) = ((23 × 11) ÷ (23 × 11))/((24 × 11) ÷ (23 × 11)) = 1/2
The fraction: 94/179
94/179 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 94 = 2 × 47
- 179 is a prime number.
- GCF (94; 179) = 1