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: 91/39
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 91 = 7 × 13
- 39 = 3 × 13
- 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 (91; 39) = 13
91/39 = (91 ÷ 13)/(39 ÷ 13) = 7/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
91/39 = (7 × 13)/(3 × 13) = ((7 × 13) ÷ 13)/((3 × 13) ÷ 13) = 7/3
The fraction: 98/49
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 49 = 72
- GCF (98; 49) = 72 = 49
98/49 = (98 ÷ 49)/(49 ÷ 49) = 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:
98/49 = (2 × 72)/72 = ((2 × 72) ÷ 72)/(72 ÷ 72) = 2/1 = 2