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: 663/657
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 663 = 3 × 13 × 17
- 657 = 32 × 73
- 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 (663; 657) = 3
663/657 = (663 ÷ 3)/(657 ÷ 3) = 221/219
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
663/657 = (3 × 13 × 17)/(32 × 73) = ((3 × 13 × 17) ÷ 3)/((32 × 73) ÷ 3) = 221/219
The fraction: 665/665
665/665 = (665 ÷ 665)/(665 ÷ 665) = 1/1 = 1