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: 26/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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; 24) = 2
26/24 = (26 ÷ 2)/(24 ÷ 2) = 13/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
26/24 = (2 × 13)/(23 × 3) = ((2 × 13) ÷ 2)/((23 × 3) ÷ 2) = 13/12
The fraction: 31/31
31/31 = (31 ÷ 31)/(31 ÷ 31) = 1/1 = 1