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: 45/45
45/45 = (45 ÷ 45)/(45 ÷ 45) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 54/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 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 (54; 50) = 2
54/50 = (54 ÷ 2)/(50 ÷ 2) = 27/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
54/50 = (2 × 33)/(2 × 52) = ((2 × 33) ÷ 2)/((2 × 52) ÷ 2) = 27/25