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: 47/47
47/47 = (47 ÷ 47)/(47 ÷ 47) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 54/52
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 52 = 22 × 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 (54; 52) = 2
54/52 = (54 ÷ 2)/(52 ÷ 2) = 27/26
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
54/52 = (2 × 33)/(22 × 13) = ((2 × 33) ÷ 2)/((22 × 13) ÷ 2) = 27/26