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: 250/248
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 250 = 2 × 53
- 248 = 23 × 31
- 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 (250; 248) = 2
250/248 = (250 ÷ 2)/(248 ÷ 2) = 125/124
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
250/248 = (2 × 53)/(23 × 31) = ((2 × 53) ÷ 2)/((23 × 31) ÷ 2) = 125/124
The fraction: 257/257
257/257 = (257 ÷ 257)/(257 ÷ 257) = 1/1 = 1