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: 526/526
526/526 = (526 ÷ 526)/(526 ÷ 526) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 534/531
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 534 = 2 × 3 × 89
- 531 = 32 × 59
- 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 (534; 531) = 3
534/531 = (534 ÷ 3)/(531 ÷ 3) = 178/177
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
534/531 = (2 × 3 × 89)/(32 × 59) = ((2 × 3 × 89) ÷ 3)/((32 × 59) ÷ 3) = 178/177