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: - 152/152
- 152/152 = - (152 ÷ 152)/(152 ÷ 152) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 160/155
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 160 = 25 × 5
- 155 = 5 × 31
- 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 (160; 155) = 5
- 160/155 = - (160 ÷ 5)/(155 ÷ 5) = - 32/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 160/155 = - (25 × 5)/(5 × 31) = - ((25 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 31) ÷ 5) = - 32/31