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: 152/152
152/152 = (152 ÷ 152)/(152 ÷ 152) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 161/154
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 161 = 7 × 23
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 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 (161; 154) = 7
161/154 = (161 ÷ 7)/(154 ÷ 7) = 23/22
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
161/154 = (7 × 23)/(2 × 7 × 11) = ((7 × 23) ÷ 7)/((2 × 7 × 11) ÷ 7) = 23/22