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: - 52/52
- 52/52 = - (52 ÷ 52)/(52 ÷ 52) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 60/54
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 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 (60; 54) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 60/54 = - (60 ÷ 6)/(54 ÷ 6) = - 10/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 60/54 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 33) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 10/9