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: 22/22
22/22 = (22 ÷ 22)/(22 ÷ 22) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 32/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 32 = 25
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (32; 26) = 2
32/26 = (32 ÷ 2)/(26 ÷ 2) = 16/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
32/26 = 25/(2 × 13) = (25 ÷ 2)/((2 × 13) ÷ 2) = 16/13