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: 26/20
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (26; 20) = 2
26/20 = (26 ÷ 2)/(20 ÷ 2) = 13/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
26/20 = (2 × 13)/(22 × 5) = ((2 × 13) ÷ 2)/((22 × 5) ÷ 2) = 13/10
The fraction: 30/30
30/30 = (30 ÷ 30)/(30 ÷ 30) = 1/1 = 1