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: - 520/520
- 520/520 = - (520 ÷ 520)/(520 ÷ 520) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 528/526
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 528 = 24 × 3 × 11
- 526 = 2 × 263
- 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 (528; 526) = 2
- 528/526 = - (528 ÷ 2)/(526 ÷ 2) = - 264/263
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 528/526 = - (24 × 3 × 11)/(2 × 263) = - ((24 × 3 × 11) ÷ 2)/((2 × 263) ÷ 2) = - 264/263