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: - 46/46
- 46/46 = - (46 ÷ 46)/(46 ÷ 46) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 52/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 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 (52; 50) = 2
- 52/50 = - (52 ÷ 2)/(50 ÷ 2) = - 26/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 52/50 = - (22 × 13)/(2 × 52) = - ((22 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 52) ÷ 2) = - 26/25