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: 34/34
34/34 = (34 ÷ 34)/(34 ÷ 34) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 39/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 39 = 3 × 13
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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; 36) = 3
39/36 = (39 ÷ 3)/(36 ÷ 3) = 13/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
39/36 = (3 × 13)/(22 × 32) = ((3 × 13) ÷ 3)/((22 × 32) ÷ 3) = 13/12