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: 20/20
20/20 = (20 ÷ 20)/(20 ÷ 20) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 27/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (27; 24) = 3
27/24 = (27 ÷ 3)/(24 ÷ 3) = 9/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
27/24 = 33/(23 × 3) = (33 ÷ 3)/((23 × 3) ÷ 3) = 9/8