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: - 27/27
- 27/27 = - (27 ÷ 27)/(27 ÷ 27) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 36/33
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 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 (36; 33) = 3
- 36/33 = - (36 ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = - 12/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 36/33 = - (22 × 32)/(3 × 11) = - ((22 × 32) ÷ 3)/((3 × 11) ÷ 3) = - 12/11