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: 116/116
116/116 = (116 ÷ 116)/(116 ÷ 116) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 126/123
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 126 = 2 × 32 × 7
- 123 = 3 × 41
- 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 (126; 123) = 3
126/123 = (126 ÷ 3)/(123 ÷ 3) = 42/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
126/123 = (2 × 32 × 7)/(3 × 41) = ((2 × 32 × 7) ÷ 3)/((3 × 41) ÷ 3) = 42/41