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: 80/80
80/80 = (80 ÷ 80)/(80 ÷ 80) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 87/84
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 87 = 3 × 29
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 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 (87; 84) = 3
87/84 = (87 ÷ 3)/(84 ÷ 3) = 29/28
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
87/84 = (3 × 29)/(22 × 3 × 7) = ((3 × 29) ÷ 3)/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ 3) = 29/28