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: 98/98
98/98 = (98 ÷ 98)/(98 ÷ 98) = 1/1 = 1
The fraction: 106/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 106 = 2 × 53
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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 (106; 100) = 2
106/100 = (106 ÷ 2)/(100 ÷ 2) = 53/50
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
106/100 = (2 × 53)/(22 × 52) = ((2 × 53) ÷ 2)/((22 × 52) ÷ 2) = 53/50