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: 111/111
111/111 = (111 ÷ 111)/(111 ÷ 111) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 120/115
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 115 = 5 × 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 (120; 115) = 5
120/115 = (120 ÷ 5)/(115 ÷ 5) = 24/23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
120/115 = (23 × 3 × 5)/(5 × 23) = ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 23) ÷ 5) = 24/23