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: 12/9
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 9 = 32
- 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 (12; 9) = 3
12/9 = (12 ÷ 3)/(9 ÷ 3) = 4/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
12/9 = (22 × 3)/32 = ((22 × 3) ÷ 3)/(32 ÷ 3) = 4/3
The fraction: 19/19
19/19 = (19 ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = 1/1 = 1