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: 92/188
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 188 = 22 × 47
- 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 (92; 188) = 22 = 4
92/188 = (92 ÷ 4)/(188 ÷ 4) = 23/47
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
92/188 = (22 × 23)/(22 × 47) = ((22 × 23) ÷ 22)/((22 × 47) ÷ 22) = 23/47
The fraction: 99/198
- 99 = 32 × 11
- 198 = 2 × 32 × 11
- GCF (99; 198) = 32 × 11 = 99
99/198 = (99 ÷ 99)/(198 ÷ 99) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
99/198 = (32 × 11)/(2 × 32 × 11) = ((32 × 11) ÷ (32 × 11))/((2 × 32 × 11) ÷ (32 × 11)) = 1/2