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: - 28/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 28 = 22 × 7
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (28; 26) = 2
- 28/26 = - (28 ÷ 2)/(26 ÷ 2) = - 14/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 28/26 = - (22 × 7)/(2 × 13) = - ((22 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 13) ÷ 2) = - 14/13
The fraction: - 36/36
- 36/36 = - (36 ÷ 36)/(36 ÷ 36) = - 1/1 = - 1