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: 96/192
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 96 = 25 × 3
- 192 = 26 × 3
- 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 (96; 192) = 25 × 3 = 96
96/192 = (96 ÷ 96)/(192 ÷ 96) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
96/192 = (25 × 3)/(26 × 3) = ((25 × 3) ÷ (25 × 3))/((26 × 3) ÷ (25 × 3)) = 1/2
The fraction: 104/196
- 104 = 23 × 13
- 196 = 22 × 72
- GCF (104; 196) = 22 = 4
104/196 = (104 ÷ 4)/(196 ÷ 4) = 26/49
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
104/196 = (23 × 13)/(22 × 72) = ((23 × 13) ÷ 22)/((22 × 72) ÷ 22) = 26/49