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: 155/155
155/155 = (155 ÷ 155)/(155 ÷ 155) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 162/158
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 162 = 2 × 34
- 158 = 2 × 79
- 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 (162; 158) = 2
162/158 = (162 ÷ 2)/(158 ÷ 2) = 81/79
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
162/158 = (2 × 34)/(2 × 79) = ((2 × 34) ÷ 2)/((2 × 79) ÷ 2) = 81/79