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: - 100,038/100,038
- 100,038/100,038 = - (100,038 ÷ 100,038)/(100,038 ÷ 100,038) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 100,048/100,040
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 100,048 = 24 × 132 × 37
- 100,040 = 23 × 5 × 41 × 61
- 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 (100,048; 100,040) = 23 = 8
- 100,048/100,040 = - (100,048 ÷ 8)/(100,040 ÷ 8) = - 12,506/12,505
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 100,048/100,040 = - (24 × 132 × 37)/(23 × 5 × 41 × 61) = - ((24 × 132 × 37) ÷ 23)/((23 × 5 × 41 × 61) ÷ 23) = - 12,506/12,505
To compare and sort the fractions, make their denominators the same.
Expand the fraction that has 1 as a denominator.
Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number:
- 1 = - (12,505 × 1)/(12,505 × 1) = - 12,505/12,505