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: - 110/106
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 110 = 2 × 5 × 11
- 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 (110; 106) = 2
- 110/106 = - (110 ÷ 2)/(106 ÷ 2) = - 55/53
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 110/106 = - (2 × 5 × 11)/(2 × 53) = - ((2 × 5 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 53) ÷ 2) = - 55/53
The fraction: - 116/116
- 116/116 = - (116 ÷ 116)/(116 ÷ 116) = - 1/1 = - 1