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: 104/104
104/104 = (104 ÷ 104)/(104 ÷ 104) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 114/111
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 114 = 2 × 3 × 19
- 111 = 3 × 37
- 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 (114; 111) = 3
114/111 = (114 ÷ 3)/(111 ÷ 3) = 38/37
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
114/111 = (2 × 3 × 19)/(3 × 37) = ((2 × 3 × 19) ÷ 3)/((3 × 37) ÷ 3) = 38/37