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: 30/30
30/30 = (30 ÷ 30)/(30 ÷ 30) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 39/33
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 39 = 3 × 13
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 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 (39; 33) = 3
39/33 = (39 ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = 13/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
39/33 = (3 × 13)/(3 × 11) = ((3 × 13) ÷ 3)/((3 × 11) ÷ 3) = 13/11