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: - 118/118
- 118/118 = - (118 ÷ 118)/(118 ÷ 118) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 128/120
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 128 = 27
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 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 (128; 120) = 23 = 8
- 128/120 = - (128 ÷ 8)/(120 ÷ 8) = - 16/15
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 128/120 = - 27/(23 × 3 × 5) = - (27 ÷ 23)/((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ 23) = - 16/15