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: - 32/28
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 32 = 25
- 28 = 22 × 7
- 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 (32; 28) = 22 = 4
- 32/28 = - (32 ÷ 4)/(28 ÷ 4) = - 8/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 32/28 = - 25/(22 × 7) = - (25 ÷ 22)/((22 × 7) ÷ 22) = - 8/7
The fraction: - 35/35
- 35/35 = - (35 ÷ 35)/(35 ÷ 35) = - 1/1 = - 1