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: 178/176
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 178 = 2 × 89
- 176 = 24 × 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 (178; 176) = 2
178/176 = (178 ÷ 2)/(176 ÷ 2) = 89/88
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
178/176 = (2 × 89)/(24 × 11) = ((2 × 89) ÷ 2)/((24 × 11) ÷ 2) = 89/88
The fraction: 180/180
180/180 = (180 ÷ 180)/(180 ÷ 180) = 1/1 = 1