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: 88/194
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 194 = 2 × 97
- 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; 194) = 2
88/194 = (88 ÷ 2)/(194 ÷ 2) = 44/97
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
88/194 = (23 × 11)/(2 × 97) = ((23 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 97) ÷ 2) = 44/97
The fraction: 98/196
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 196 = 22 × 72
- GCF (98; 196) = 2 × 72 = 98
98/196 = (98 ÷ 98)/(196 ÷ 98) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
98/196 = (2 × 72)/(22 × 72) = ((2 × 72) ÷ (2 × 72))/((22 × 72) ÷ (2 × 72)) = 1/2