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: - 43/89
- 43/89 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 43 is a prime number.
- 89 is a prime number.
- GCF (43; 89) = 1
The fraction: - 49/98
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 49 = 72
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 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 (49; 98) = 72 = 49
- 49/98 = - (49 ÷ 49)/(98 ÷ 49) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 49/98 = - 72/(2 × 72) = - (72 ÷ 72)/((2 × 72) ÷ 72) = - 1/2