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: 53/53
53/53 = (53 ÷ 53)/(53 ÷ 53) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 60/55
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 55 = 5 × 11
- 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 (60; 55) = 5
60/55 = (60 ÷ 5)/(55 ÷ 5) = 12/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
60/55 = (22 × 3 × 5)/(5 × 11) = ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 11) ÷ 5) = 12/11