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: 520/514
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 520 = 23 × 5 × 13
- 514 = 2 × 257
- 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 (520; 514) = 2
520/514 = (520 ÷ 2)/(514 ÷ 2) = 260/257
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
520/514 = (23 × 5 × 13)/(2 × 257) = ((23 × 5 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 257) ÷ 2) = 260/257
The fraction: 524/524
524/524 = (524 ÷ 524)/(524 ÷ 524) = 1/1 = 1