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: 68/68
68/68 = (68 ÷ 68)/(68 ÷ 68) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 78/72
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 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 (78; 72) = 2 × 3 = 6
78/72 = (78 ÷ 6)/(72 ÷ 6) = 13/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
78/72 = (2 × 3 × 13)/(23 × 32) = ((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ (2 × 3))/((23 × 32) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 13/12