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: - 14/14
- 14/14 = - (14 ÷ 14)/(14 ÷ 14) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 22/20
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 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 (22; 20) = 2
- 22/20 = - (22 ÷ 2)/(20 ÷ 2) = - 11/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 22/20 = - (2 × 11)/(22 × 5) = - ((2 × 11) ÷ 2)/((22 × 5) ÷ 2) = - 11/10