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: 735/730
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 735 = 3 × 5 × 72
- 730 = 2 × 5 × 73
- 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 (735; 730) = 5
735/730 = (735 ÷ 5)/(730 ÷ 5) = 147/146
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
735/730 = (3 × 5 × 72)/(2 × 5 × 73) = ((3 × 5 × 72) ÷ 5)/((2 × 5 × 73) ÷ 5) = 147/146
The fraction: 738/738
738/738 = (738 ÷ 738)/(738 ÷ 738) = 1/1 = 1