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: 83/83
83/83 = (83 ÷ 83)/(83 ÷ 83) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 90/86
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- 86 = 2 × 43
- 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 (90; 86) = 2
90/86 = (90 ÷ 2)/(86 ÷ 2) = 45/43
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
90/86 = (2 × 32 × 5)/(2 × 43) = ((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ 2)/((2 × 43) ÷ 2) = 45/43