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: 238/234
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 238 = 2 × 7 × 17
- 234 = 2 × 32 × 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 (238; 234) = 2
238/234 = (238 ÷ 2)/(234 ÷ 2) = 119/117
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
238/234 = (2 × 7 × 17)/(2 × 32 × 13) = ((2 × 7 × 17) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32 × 13) ÷ 2) = 119/117
The fraction: 240/240
240/240 = (240 ÷ 240)/(240 ÷ 240) = 1/1 = 1