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: 67/67
67/67 = (67 ÷ 67)/(67 ÷ 67) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 72/69
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 69 = 3 × 23
- 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 (72; 69) = 3
72/69 = (72 ÷ 3)/(69 ÷ 3) = 24/23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
72/69 = (23 × 32)/(3 × 23) = ((23 × 32) ÷ 3)/((3 × 23) ÷ 3) = 24/23