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: 274/274
274/274 = (274 ÷ 274)/(274 ÷ 274) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 284/280
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 284 = 22 × 71
- 280 = 23 × 5 × 7
- 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 (284; 280) = 22 = 4
284/280 = (284 ÷ 4)/(280 ÷ 4) = 71/70
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
284/280 = (22 × 71)/(23 × 5 × 7) = ((22 × 71) ÷ 22)/((23 × 5 × 7) ÷ 22) = 71/70