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: 45/39
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 45 = 32 × 5
- 39 = 3 × 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 (45; 39) = 3
45/39 = (45 ÷ 3)/(39 ÷ 3) = 15/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
45/39 = (32 × 5)/(3 × 13) = ((32 × 5) ÷ 3)/((3 × 13) ÷ 3) = 15/13
The fraction: 49/49
49/49 = (49 ÷ 49)/(49 ÷ 49) = 1/1 = 1