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: 140/136
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 140 = 22 × 5 × 7
- 136 = 23 × 17
- 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; 136) = 22 = 4
140/136 = (140 ÷ 4)/(136 ÷ 4) = 35/34
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
140/136 = (22 × 5 × 7)/(23 × 17) = ((22 × 5 × 7) ÷ 22)/((23 × 17) ÷ 22) = 35/34
The fraction: 146/146
146/146 = (146 ÷ 146)/(146 ÷ 146) = 1/1 = 1