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: 15/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 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 (15; 10) = 5
15/10 = (15 ÷ 5)/(10 ÷ 5) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
15/10 = (3 × 5)/(2 × 5) = ((3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((2 × 5) ÷ 5) = 3/2
The fraction: 18/18
18/18 = (18 ÷ 18)/(18 ÷ 18) = 1/1 = 1