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: - 494/490
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 494 = 2 × 13 × 19
- 490 = 2 × 5 × 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 (494; 490) = 2
- 494/490 = - (494 ÷ 2)/(490 ÷ 2) = - 247/245
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 494/490 = - (2 × 13 × 19)/(2 × 5 × 72) = - ((2 × 13 × 19) ÷ 2)/((2 × 5 × 72) ÷ 2) = - 247/245
The fraction: - 498/498
- 498/498 = - (498 ÷ 498)/(498 ÷ 498) = - 1/1 = - 1