Gear inch/ratio question

The Rule is:
If you have the ratio ie mine 44:16, and you divide it down to the smallest possible divisible fraction, then you have the potential numbe of skid patches.
SO 44:16 = 11/4, so 4 possible skid patches.
17 doesn't divide by anything. that is why it is good for your tires (17 skid patches possible).
I would change to 15, which would give me 15 patches, but i love the ratio as it is.

This isn't true. If you rode 34/17 or 51/17 you would have only one skid patch.
It's not to do with the primallity of the divisor, bout the co-primallity of the chainring and the sprocket.