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: 164/160
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 164 = 22 × 41
- 160 = 25 × 5
- 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 (164; 160) = 22 = 4
164/160 = (164 ÷ 4)/(160 ÷ 4) = 41/40
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
164/160 = (22 × 41)/(25 × 5) = ((22 × 41) ÷ 22)/((25 × 5) ÷ 22) = 41/40
The fraction: 166/166
166/166 = (166 ÷ 166)/(166 ÷ 166) = 1/1 = 1