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: 121/11
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 121 = 112
- 11 is a prime number.
- 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 (121; 11) = 11
121/11 = (121 ÷ 11)/(11 ÷ 11) = 11/1 = 11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
121/11 = 112/11 = (112 ÷ 11)/(11 ÷ 11) = 11/1 = 11
The fraction: 131/21
131/21 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 131 is a prime number.
- 21 = 3 × 7
- GCF (131; 21) = 1