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: 68/62
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 68 = 22 × 17
- 62 = 2 × 31
- 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 (68; 62) = 2
68/62 = (68 ÷ 2)/(62 ÷ 2) = 34/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
68/62 = (22 × 17)/(2 × 31) = ((22 × 17) ÷ 2)/((2 × 31) ÷ 2) = 34/31
The fraction: 70/70
70/70 = (70 ÷ 70)/(70 ÷ 70) = 1/1 = 1