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: 80/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 80 = 24 × 5
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 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 (80; 76) = 22 = 4
80/76 = (80 ÷ 4)/(76 ÷ 4) = 20/19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
80/76 = (24 × 5)/(22 × 19) = ((24 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 19) ÷ 22) = 20/19
The fraction: 84/84
84/84 = (84 ÷ 84)/(84 ÷ 84) = 1/1 = 1