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: - 126/126
- 126/126 = - (126 ÷ 126)/(126 ÷ 126) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 135/132
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 135 = 33 × 5
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- 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 (135; 132) = 3
- 135/132 = - (135 ÷ 3)/(132 ÷ 3) = - 45/44
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 135/132 = - (33 × 5)/(22 × 3 × 11) = - ((33 × 5) ÷ 3)/((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ 3) = - 45/44