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: 70/68
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 7
- 68 = 22 × 17
- 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 (70; 68) = 2
70/68 = (70 ÷ 2)/(68 ÷ 2) = 35/34
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
70/68 = (2 × 5 × 7)/(22 × 17) = ((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ 2)/((22 × 17) ÷ 2) = 35/34
The fraction: 72/72
72/72 = (72 ÷ 72)/(72 ÷ 72) = 1/1 = 1