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: 98/46
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 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 (98; 46) = 2
98/46 = (98 ÷ 2)/(46 ÷ 2) = 49/23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
98/46 = (2 × 72)/(2 × 23) = ((2 × 72) ÷ 2)/((2 × 23) ÷ 2) = 49/23
The fraction: 104/52
- 104 = 23 × 13
- 52 = 22 × 13
- GCF (104; 52) = 22 × 13 = 52
104/52 = (104 ÷ 52)/(52 ÷ 52) = 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:
104/52 = (23 × 13)/(22 × 13) = ((23 × 13) ÷ (22 × 13))/((22 × 13) ÷ (22 × 13)) = 2/1 = 2