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: - 408/405
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 408 = 23 × 3 × 17
- 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 (408; 405) = 3
- 408/405 = - (408 ÷ 3)/(405 ÷ 3) = - 136/135
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 408/405 = - (23 × 3 × 17)/(34 × 5) = - ((23 × 3 × 17) ÷ 3)/((34 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 136/135
The fraction: - 414/414
- 414/414 = - (414 ÷ 414)/(414 ÷ 414) = - 1/1 = - 1