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: 52/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 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 (52; 50) = 2
52/50 = (52 ÷ 2)/(50 ÷ 2) = 26/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
52/50 = (22 × 13)/(2 × 52) = ((22 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 52) ÷ 2) = 26/25
The fraction: 60/60
60/60 = (60 ÷ 60)/(60 ÷ 60) = 1/1 = 1