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: 88/84
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 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 (88; 84) = 22 = 4
88/84 = (88 ÷ 4)/(84 ÷ 4) = 22/21
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
88/84 = (23 × 11)/(22 × 3 × 7) = ((23 × 11) ÷ 22)/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ 22) = 22/21
The fraction: 92/92
92/92 = (92 ÷ 92)/(92 ÷ 92) = 1/1 = 1