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: - 128/124
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 128 = 27
- 124 = 22 × 31
- 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; 124) = 22 = 4
- 128/124 = - (128 ÷ 4)/(124 ÷ 4) = - 32/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 128/124 = - 27/(22 × 31) = - (27 ÷ 22)/((22 × 31) ÷ 22) = - 32/31