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: 141/141
141/141 = (141 ÷ 141)/(141 ÷ 141) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 146/144
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 146 = 2 × 73
- 144 = 24 × 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 (146; 144) = 2
146/144 = (146 ÷ 2)/(144 ÷ 2) = 73/72
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
146/144 = (2 × 73)/(24 × 32) = ((2 × 73) ÷ 2)/((24 × 32) ÷ 2) = 73/72