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: 94/94
94/94 = (94 ÷ 94)/(94 ÷ 94) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 98/96
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 96 = 25 × 3
- 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; 96) = 2
98/96 = (98 ÷ 2)/(96 ÷ 2) = 49/48
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
98/96 = (2 × 72)/(25 × 3) = ((2 × 72) ÷ 2)/((25 × 3) ÷ 2) = 49/48