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: 256/250
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 256 = 28
- 250 = 2 × 53
- 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 (256; 250) = 2
256/250 = (256 ÷ 2)/(250 ÷ 2) = 128/125
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
256/250 = 28/(2 × 53) = (28 ÷ 2)/((2 × 53) ÷ 2) = 128/125
The fraction: 260/260
260/260 = (260 ÷ 260)/(260 ÷ 260) = 1/1 = 1