To completely reduce (simplify) a fraction to its lowest terms, divide the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by their greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd)
To calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd), we perform the prime factorization of the two numbers.
The prime factorization of the two numbers:
The prime factorization of a number: finding the prime numbers that multiply together to make that number.
19 is a prime number and cannot be broken down into other prime factors.
100 = 22 × 52
100 is not a prime number but a composite one.
* The natural numbers that are only divisible by 1 and themselves are called prime numbers. A prime number has exactly two factors: 1 and itself.
* A composite number is a natural number that has at least one other factor than 1 and itself.
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), gcf (hcf, gcd):
Multiply all the common prime factors, taken by their smallest exponents (powers).
But the two numbers have no common prime factors:
gcf, hcf, gcd (19; 100) = 1
Coprime numbers (prime to each other, relatively prime)
As a percentage:
Multiply the fraction's value by the fraction 100/100
100/100 = 100 ÷ 100 = 100% = 1
Multiply a number by the fraction 100/100,
... and its value will not change, only the form.
0.19 =
0.19 × 100/100 =
19/100 =
19%