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: 90/40
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 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 (90; 40) = 2 × 5 = 10
90/40 = (90 ÷ 10)/(40 ÷ 10) = 9/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
90/40 = (2 × 32 × 5)/(23 × 5) = ((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5))/((23 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = 9/4
The fraction: 96/48
- 96 = 25 × 3
- 48 = 24 × 3
- GCF (96; 48) = 24 × 3 = 48
96/48 = (96 ÷ 48)/(48 ÷ 48) = 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:
96/48 = (25 × 3)/(24 × 3) = ((25 × 3) ÷ (24 × 3))/((24 × 3) ÷ (24 × 3)) = 2/1 = 2