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: - 116/116
- 116/116 = - (116 ÷ 116)/(116 ÷ 116) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 126/119
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 126 = 2 × 32 × 7
- 119 = 7 × 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 (126; 119) = 7
- 126/119 = - (126 ÷ 7)/(119 ÷ 7) = - 18/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 126/119 = - (2 × 32 × 7)/(7 × 17) = - ((2 × 32 × 7) ÷ 7)/((7 × 17) ÷ 7) = - 18/17