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: 25/20
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 25 = 52
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 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 (25; 20) = 5
25/20 = (25 ÷ 5)/(20 ÷ 5) = 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
25/20 = 52/(22 × 5) = (52 ÷ 5)/((22 × 5) ÷ 5) = 5/4
The fraction: 27/27
27/27 = (27 ÷ 27)/(27 ÷ 27) = 1/1 = 1