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: 8/8
8/8 = (8 ÷ 8)/(8 ÷ 8) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 16/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 16 = 24
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 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 (16; 12) = 22 = 4
16/12 = (16 ÷ 4)/(12 ÷ 4) = 4/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
16/12 = 24/(22 × 3) = (24 ÷ 22)/((22 × 3) ÷ 22) = 4/3