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: 18/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 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 (18; 12) = 2 × 3 = 6
18/12 = (18 ÷ 6)/(12 ÷ 6) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
18/12 = (2 × 32)/(22 × 3) = ((2 × 32) ÷ (2 × 3))/((22 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 3/2