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: - 108/106
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 106 = 2 × 53
- 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 (108; 106) = 2
- 108/106 = - (108 ÷ 2)/(106 ÷ 2) = - 54/53
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 108/106 = - (22 × 33)/(2 × 53) = - ((22 × 33) ÷ 2)/((2 × 53) ÷ 2) = - 54/53
The fraction: - 112/112
- 112/112 = - (112 ÷ 112)/(112 ÷ 112) = - 1/1 = - 1