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: 40/35
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 35 = 5 × 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 (40; 35) = 5
40/35 = (40 ÷ 5)/(35 ÷ 5) = 8/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
40/35 = (23 × 5)/(5 × 7) = ((23 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 7) ÷ 5) = 8/7
The fraction: 44/44
44/44 = (44 ÷ 44)/(44 ÷ 44) = 1/1 = 1