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: 210/205
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 210 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 7
- 205 = 5 × 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 (210; 205) = 5
210/205 = (210 ÷ 5)/(205 ÷ 5) = 42/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
210/205 = (2 × 3 × 5 × 7)/(5 × 41) = ((2 × 3 × 5 × 7) ÷ 5)/((5 × 41) ÷ 5) = 42/41
The fraction: 215/215
215/215 = (215 ÷ 215)/(215 ÷ 215) = 1/1 = 1