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: - 15/15
- 15/15 = - (15 ÷ 15)/(15 ÷ 15) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 22/18
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 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; 18) = 2
- 22/18 = - (22 ÷ 2)/(18 ÷ 2) = - 11/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 22/18 = - (2 × 11)/(2 × 32) = - ((2 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32) ÷ 2) = - 11/9