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: 728/721
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 728 = 23 × 7 × 13
- 721 = 7 × 103
- 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 (728; 721) = 7
728/721 = (728 ÷ 7)/(721 ÷ 7) = 104/103
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
728/721 = (23 × 7 × 13)/(7 × 103) = ((23 × 7 × 13) ÷ 7)/((7 × 103) ÷ 7) = 104/103
The fraction: 730/730
730/730 = (730 ÷ 730)/(730 ÷ 730) = 1/1 = 1