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: 76/74
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 74 = 2 × 37
- 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 (76; 74) = 2
76/74 = (76 ÷ 2)/(74 ÷ 2) = 38/37
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
76/74 = (22 × 19)/(2 × 37) = ((22 × 19) ÷ 2)/((2 × 37) ÷ 2) = 38/37
The fraction: 81/81
81/81 = (81 ÷ 81)/(81 ÷ 81) = 1/1 = 1