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: - 39/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 39 = 3 × 13
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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 (39; 36) = 3
- 39/36 = - (39 ÷ 3)/(36 ÷ 3) = - 13/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 39/36 = - (3 × 13)/(22 × 32) = - ((3 × 13) ÷ 3)/((22 × 32) ÷ 3) = - 13/12
The fraction: - 45/45
- 45/45 = - (45 ÷ 45)/(45 ÷ 45) = - 1/1 = - 1