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: - 366/366
- 366/366 = - (366 ÷ 366)/(366 ÷ 366) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 376/370
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 376 = 23 × 47
- 370 = 2 × 5 × 37
- 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 (376; 370) = 2
- 376/370 = - (376 ÷ 2)/(370 ÷ 2) = - 188/185
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 376/370 = - (23 × 47)/(2 × 5 × 37) = - ((23 × 47) ÷ 2)/((2 × 5 × 37) ÷ 2) = - 188/185