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: 10/10
10/10 = (10 ÷ 10)/(10 ÷ 10) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 20/16
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 16 = 24
- 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 (20; 16) = 22 = 4
20/16 = (20 ÷ 4)/(16 ÷ 4) = 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
20/16 = (22 × 5)/24 = ((22 × 5) ÷ 22)/(24 ÷ 22) = 5/4