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: 117/117
117/117 = (117 ÷ 117)/(117 ÷ 117) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 126/124
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 126 = 2 × 32 × 7
- 124 = 22 × 31
- 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; 124) = 2
126/124 = (126 ÷ 2)/(124 ÷ 2) = 63/62
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
126/124 = (2 × 32 × 7)/(22 × 31) = ((2 × 32 × 7) ÷ 2)/((22 × 31) ÷ 2) = 63/62