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: 114/114
114/114 = (114 ÷ 114)/(114 ÷ 114) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 123/117
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 123 = 3 × 41
- 117 = 32 × 13
- 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 (123; 117) = 3
123/117 = (123 ÷ 3)/(117 ÷ 3) = 41/39
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
123/117 = (3 × 41)/(32 × 13) = ((3 × 41) ÷ 3)/((32 × 13) ÷ 3) = 41/39