How can 85/153 be reduced down? Ive tried and tried
B berkeley New member Joined Apr 5, 2011 Messages 2 Apr 5, 2011 #1 How can 85/153 be reduced down? Ive tried and tried
G galactus Super Moderator Staff member Joined Sep 28, 2005 Messages 7,216 Apr 5, 2011 #2 Divide top and bottom by 17. Have you learned how to break a number up into its prime factors?. This is a good way to reduce a fraction. \(\displaystyle 85=17\cdot 5\) \(\displaystyle 153=3^{2}\cdot 17\) So, we have: \(\displaystyle \frac{17\cdot 5}{3^{2}\cdot 17}\) The 17 cancels and we are left with \(\displaystyle \frac{5}{9}\)
Divide top and bottom by 17. Have you learned how to break a number up into its prime factors?. This is a good way to reduce a fraction. \(\displaystyle 85=17\cdot 5\) \(\displaystyle 153=3^{2}\cdot 17\) So, we have: \(\displaystyle \frac{17\cdot 5}{3^{2}\cdot 17}\) The 17 cancels and we are left with \(\displaystyle \frac{5}{9}\)
