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: - 60/55
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 55 = 5 × 11
- 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; 55) = 5
- 60/55 = - (60 ÷ 5)/(55 ÷ 5) = - 12/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 60/55 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(5 × 11) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 11) ÷ 5) = - 12/11