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: 116/112
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 116 = 22 × 29
- 112 = 24 × 7
- 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 (116; 112) = 22 = 4
116/112 = (116 ÷ 4)/(112 ÷ 4) = 29/28
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
116/112 = (22 × 29)/(24 × 7) = ((22 × 29) ÷ 22)/((24 × 7) ÷ 22) = 29/28
The fraction: 121/121
121/121 = (121 ÷ 121)/(121 ÷ 121) = 1/1 = 1