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: 160/160
160/160 = (160 ÷ 160)/(160 ÷ 160) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 168/165
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 168 = 23 × 3 × 7
- 165 = 3 × 5 × 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 (168; 165) = 3
168/165 = (168 ÷ 3)/(165 ÷ 3) = 56/55
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
168/165 = (23 × 3 × 7)/(3 × 5 × 11) = ((23 × 3 × 7) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5 × 11) ÷ 3) = 56/55