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: - 135/129
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 135 = 33 × 5
- 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 (135; 129) = 3
- 135/129 = - (135 ÷ 3)/(129 ÷ 3) = - 45/43
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 135/129 = - (33 × 5)/(3 × 43) = - ((33 × 5) ÷ 3)/((3 × 43) ÷ 3) = - 45/43
The fraction: - 137/137
- 137/137 = - (137 ÷ 137)/(137 ÷ 137) = - 1/1 = - 1