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: - 248/248
- 248/248 = - (248 ÷ 248)/(248 ÷ 248) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 252/250
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 252 = 22 × 32 × 7
- 250 = 2 × 53
- 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 (252; 250) = 2
- 252/250 = - (252 ÷ 2)/(250 ÷ 2) = - 126/125
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 252/250 = - (22 × 32 × 7)/(2 × 53) = - ((22 × 32 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 53) ÷ 2) = - 126/125