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: 51/48
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 51 = 3 × 17
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 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 (51; 48) = 3
51/48 = (51 ÷ 3)/(48 ÷ 3) = 17/16
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
51/48 = (3 × 17)/(24 × 3) = ((3 × 17) ÷ 3)/((24 × 3) ÷ 3) = 17/16