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: 56/52
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 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 (56; 52) = 22 = 4
56/52 = (56 ÷ 4)/(52 ÷ 4) = 14/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
56/52 = (23 × 7)/(22 × 13) = ((23 × 7) ÷ 22)/((22 × 13) ÷ 22) = 14/13