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: 162/162
162/162 = (162 ÷ 162)/(162 ÷ 162) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 168/164
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 168 = 23 × 3 × 7
- 164 = 22 × 41
- 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; 164) = 22 = 4
168/164 = (168 ÷ 4)/(164 ÷ 4) = 42/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
168/164 = (23 × 3 × 7)/(22 × 41) = ((23 × 3 × 7) ÷ 22)/((22 × 41) ÷ 22) = 42/41