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: 120/116
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 116 = 22 × 29
- 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; 116) = 22 = 4
120/116 = (120 ÷ 4)/(116 ÷ 4) = 30/29
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
120/116 = (23 × 3 × 5)/(22 × 29) = ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 29) ÷ 22) = 30/29