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: 105/98
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 105 = 3 × 5 × 7
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 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 (105; 98) = 7
105/98 = (105 ÷ 7)/(98 ÷ 7) = 15/14
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
105/98 = (3 × 5 × 7)/(2 × 72) = ((3 × 5 × 7) ÷ 7)/((2 × 72) ÷ 7) = 15/14
The fraction: 108/108
108/108 = (108 ÷ 108)/(108 ÷ 108) = 1/1 = 1