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: - 50/50
- 50/50 = - (50 ÷ 50)/(50 ÷ 50) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 56/52
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 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 (56; 52) = 22 = 4
- 56/52 = - (56 ÷ 4)/(52 ÷ 4) = - 14/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 56/52 = - (23 × 7)/(22 × 13) = - ((23 × 7) ÷ 22)/((22 × 13) ÷ 22) = - 14/13