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: - 104/104
- 104/104 = - (104 ÷ 104)/(104 ÷ 104) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 111/108
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 111 = 3 × 37
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 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 (111; 108) = 3
- 111/108 = - (111 ÷ 3)/(108 ÷ 3) = - 37/36
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 111/108 = - (3 × 37)/(22 × 33) = - ((3 × 37) ÷ 3)/((22 × 33) ÷ 3) = - 37/36