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: 39/39
39/39 = (39 ÷ 39)/(39 ÷ 39) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 44/42
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 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 (44; 42) = 2
44/42 = (44 ÷ 2)/(42 ÷ 2) = 22/21
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
44/42 = (22 × 11)/(2 × 3 × 7) = ((22 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ 2) = 22/21