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: - 124/118
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 124 = 22 × 31
- 118 = 2 × 59
- 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 (124; 118) = 2
- 124/118 = - (124 ÷ 2)/(118 ÷ 2) = - 62/59
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 124/118 = - (22 × 31)/(2 × 59) = - ((22 × 31) ÷ 2)/((2 × 59) ÷ 2) = - 62/59