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: 88/44
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 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 (88; 44) = 22 × 11 = 44
88/44 = (88 ÷ 44)/(44 ÷ 44) = 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:
88/44 = (23 × 11)/(22 × 11) = ((23 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11))/((22 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11)) = 2/1 = 2
The fraction: 93/54
- 93 = 3 × 31
- 54 = 2 × 33
- GCF (93; 54) = 3
93/54 = (93 ÷ 3)/(54 ÷ 3) = 31/18
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
93/54 = (3 × 31)/(2 × 33) = ((3 × 31) ÷ 3)/((2 × 33) ÷ 3) = 31/18