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: - 60/56
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 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; 56) = 22 = 4
- 60/56 = - (60 ÷ 4)/(56 ÷ 4) = - 15/14
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 60/56 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(23 × 7) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ 22)/((23 × 7) ÷ 22) = - 15/14