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: - 128/126
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 128 = 27
- 126 = 2 × 32 × 7
- 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; 126) = 2
- 128/126 = - (128 ÷ 2)/(126 ÷ 2) = - 64/63
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 128/126 = - 27/(2 × 32 × 7) = - (27 ÷ 2)/((2 × 32 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 64/63