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: 167/167
167/167 = (167 ÷ 167)/(167 ÷ 167) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 174/171
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 174 = 2 × 3 × 29
- 171 = 32 × 19
- 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 (174; 171) = 3
174/171 = (174 ÷ 3)/(171 ÷ 3) = 58/57
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
174/171 = (2 × 3 × 29)/(32 × 19) = ((2 × 3 × 29) ÷ 3)/((32 × 19) ÷ 3) = 58/57