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: 151/151
151/151 = (151 ÷ 151)/(151 ÷ 151) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 160/156
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 160 = 25 × 5
- 156 = 22 × 3 × 13
- 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 (160; 156) = 22 = 4
160/156 = (160 ÷ 4)/(156 ÷ 4) = 40/39
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
160/156 = (25 × 5)/(22 × 3 × 13) = ((25 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 3 × 13) ÷ 22) = 40/39