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: - 123/123
- 123/123 = - (123 ÷ 123)/(123 ÷ 123) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 132/129
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- 129 = 3 × 43
- 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 (132; 129) = 3
- 132/129 = - (132 ÷ 3)/(129 ÷ 3) = - 44/43
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 132/129 = - (22 × 3 × 11)/(3 × 43) = - ((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ 3)/((3 × 43) ÷ 3) = - 44/43