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: 37/37
37/37 = (37 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 46/40
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 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 (46; 40) = 2
46/40 = (46 ÷ 2)/(40 ÷ 2) = 23/20
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
46/40 = (2 × 23)/(23 × 5) = ((2 × 23) ÷ 2)/((23 × 5) ÷ 2) = 23/20