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: - 105/102
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 105 = 3 × 5 × 7
- 102 = 2 × 3 × 17
- 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 (105; 102) = 3
- 105/102 = - (105 ÷ 3)/(102 ÷ 3) = - 35/34
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 105/102 = - (3 × 5 × 7)/(2 × 3 × 17) = - ((3 × 5 × 7) ÷ 3)/((2 × 3 × 17) ÷ 3) = - 35/34
The fraction: - 107/107
- 107/107 = - (107 ÷ 107)/(107 ÷ 107) = - 1/1 = - 1