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: - 36/34
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 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; 34) = 2
- 36/34 = - (36 ÷ 2)/(34 ÷ 2) = - 18/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 36/34 = - (22 × 32)/(2 × 17) = - ((22 × 32) ÷ 2)/((2 × 17) ÷ 2) = - 18/17
The fraction: - 39/39
- 39/39 = - (39 ÷ 39)/(39 ÷ 39) = - 1/1 = - 1