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: 132/132
132/132 = (132 ÷ 132)/(132 ÷ 132) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 140/138
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 140 = 22 × 5 × 7
- 138 = 2 × 3 × 23
- 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 (140; 138) = 2
140/138 = (140 ÷ 2)/(138 ÷ 2) = 70/69
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
140/138 = (22 × 5 × 7)/(2 × 3 × 23) = ((22 × 5 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 23) ÷ 2) = 70/69