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: 85/85
85/85 = (85 ÷ 85)/(85 ÷ 85) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 92/88
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 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 (92; 88) = 22 = 4
92/88 = (92 ÷ 4)/(88 ÷ 4) = 23/22
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
92/88 = (22 × 23)/(23 × 11) = ((22 × 23) ÷ 22)/((23 × 11) ÷ 22) = 23/22