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: 10/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 8 = 23
- 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 (10; 8) = 2
10/8 = (10 ÷ 2)/(8 ÷ 2) = 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
10/8 = (2 × 5)/23 = ((2 × 5) ÷ 2)/(23 ÷ 2) = 5/4
The fraction: 18/18
18/18 = (18 ÷ 18)/(18 ÷ 18) = 1/1 = 1