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: 88/88
88/88 = (88 ÷ 88)/(88 ÷ 88) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 98/90
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- 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 (98; 90) = 2
98/90 = (98 ÷ 2)/(90 ÷ 2) = 49/45
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
98/90 = (2 × 72)/(2 × 32 × 5) = ((2 × 72) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ 2) = 49/45