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: 507/501
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 507 = 3 × 132
- 501 = 3 × 167
- 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 (507; 501) = 3
507/501 = (507 ÷ 3)/(501 ÷ 3) = 169/167
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
507/501 = (3 × 132)/(3 × 167) = ((3 × 132) ÷ 3)/((3 × 167) ÷ 3) = 169/167
The fraction: 510/510
510/510 = (510 ÷ 510)/(510 ÷ 510) = 1/1 = 1