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: 360/360
360/360 = (360 ÷ 360)/(360 ÷ 360) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 370/364
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 370 = 2 × 5 × 37
- 364 = 22 × 7 × 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 (370; 364) = 2
370/364 = (370 ÷ 2)/(364 ÷ 2) = 185/182
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
370/364 = (2 × 5 × 37)/(22 × 7 × 13) = ((2 × 5 × 37) ÷ 2)/((22 × 7 × 13) ÷ 2) = 185/182