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: - 110/110
- 110/110 = - (110 ÷ 110)/(110 ÷ 110) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 120/114
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 114 = 2 × 3 × 19
- 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 (120; 114) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 120/114 = - (120 ÷ 6)/(114 ÷ 6) = - 20/19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 120/114 = - (23 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 3 × 19) = - ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 3 × 19) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 20/19