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: 150/146
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 150 = 2 × 3 × 52
- 146 = 2 × 73
- 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 (150; 146) = 2
150/146 = (150 ÷ 2)/(146 ÷ 2) = 75/73
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
150/146 = (2 × 3 × 52)/(2 × 73) = ((2 × 3 × 52) ÷ 2)/((2 × 73) ÷ 2) = 75/73
The fraction: 154/154
154/154 = (154 ÷ 154)/(154 ÷ 154) = 1/1 = 1