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: 36/28
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 28 = 22 × 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 (36; 28) = 22 = 4
36/28 = (36 ÷ 4)/(28 ÷ 4) = 9/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
36/28 = (22 × 32)/(22 × 7) = ((22 × 32) ÷ 22)/((22 × 7) ÷ 22) = 9/7
The fraction: 38/38
38/38 = (38 ÷ 38)/(38 ÷ 38) = 1/1 = 1