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: - 4/4
- 4/4 = - (4 ÷ 4)/(4 ÷ 4) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 14/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 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 (14; 12) = 2
- 14/12 = - (14 ÷ 2)/(12 ÷ 2) = - 7/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 14/12 = - (2 × 7)/(22 × 3) = - ((2 × 7) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3) ÷ 2) = - 7/6