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: - 118/116
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 118 = 2 × 59
- 116 = 22 × 29
- 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 (118; 116) = 2
- 118/116 = - (118 ÷ 2)/(116 ÷ 2) = - 59/58
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 118/116 = - (2 × 59)/(22 × 29) = - ((2 × 59) ÷ 2)/((22 × 29) ÷ 2) = - 59/58
The fraction: - 124/124
- 124/124 = - (124 ÷ 124)/(124 ÷ 124) = - 1/1 = - 1