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: 94/48
- 94 = 2 × 47
- 48 = 24 × 3
- GCF (94; 48) = 2
94/48 = (94 ÷ 2)/(48 ÷ 2) = 47/24
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
94/48 = (2 × 47)/(24 × 3) = ((2 × 47) ÷ 2)/((24 × 3) ÷ 2) = 47/24