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: 84/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 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 (84; 76) = 22 = 4
84/76 = (84 ÷ 4)/(76 ÷ 4) = 21/19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
84/76 = (22 × 3 × 7)/(22 × 19) = ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ 22)/((22 × 19) ÷ 22) = 21/19
The fraction: 86/86
86/86 = (86 ÷ 86)/(86 ÷ 86) = 1/1 = 1