Reducing Fractions with the GCF - # 3

[Jason]

1-a: What is the following fraction reduced?

\(\dfrac{19}{20}\)

\(19 \longrightarrow 19^{1}\)

\(20 \longrightarrow 5 * 4 \longrightarrow 5 * (2 * 2) \longrightarrow 5^{1} * 2^{1} * 2^{1} \longrightarrow 5^{1} * 2^{2}\)

The lowest prime power/powers - common to both numbers - are:

none

\(GCF = 1\)

Since the GCF is 1, the fraction cannot be reduced.

1-b: What is the following fraction reduced?

\(\dfrac{20}{4}\)

\(20 \longrightarrow 5 * 4 \longrightarrow 5 * (2 * 2) \longrightarrow 5^{1} * 2^{1} * 2^{1} \longrightarrow 5^{1} * 2^{2}\)

\(4 \longrightarrow 2 * 2 \longrightarrow 2^{1} * 2^{1} \longrightarrow 2^{2}\)

The lowest prime power/powers - common to both numbers - are:

\(2^{2}\)

\(GCF = 2^{2} = 4\)

\(\dfrac{20}{4} \longrightarrow \dfrac{20 \div 4}{4 \div 4} \longrightarrow \dfrac{5}{1} = 5\)