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: - 401/401
- 401/401 = - (401 ÷ 401)/(401 ÷ 401) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 411/405
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 411 = 3 × 137
- 405 = 34 × 5
- 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 (411; 405) = 3
- 411/405 = - (411 ÷ 3)/(405 ÷ 3) = - 137/135
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 411/405 = - (3 × 137)/(34 × 5) = - ((3 × 137) ÷ 3)/((34 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 137/135