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: 53/109
53/109 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 53 is a prime number.
- 109 is a prime number.
- GCF (53; 109) = 1
The fraction: 59/118
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 59 is a prime number.
- 118 = 2 × 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 (59; 118) = 59
59/118 = (59 ÷ 59)/(118 ÷ 59) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
59/118 = 59/(2 × 59) = (59 ÷ 59)/((2 × 59) ÷ 59) = 1/2