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: 98/49
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 49 = 72
- 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; 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
The fraction: 102/53
102/53 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 102 = 2 × 3 × 17
- 53 is a prime number.
- GCF (102; 53) = 1