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: 30/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (30; 26) = 2
30/26 = (30 ÷ 2)/(26 ÷ 2) = 15/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
30/26 = (2 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 13) = ((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2)/((2 × 13) ÷ 2) = 15/13
The fraction: 32/32
32/32 = (32 ÷ 32)/(32 ÷ 32) = 1/1 = 1