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: - 55/26
- 55/26 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 55 = 5 × 11
- 26 = 2 × 13
- GCF (55; 26) = 1
The fraction: - 58/29
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 29 is a prime number.
- 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 (58; 29) = 29
- 58/29 = - (58 ÷ 29)/(29 ÷ 29) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 58/29 = - (2 × 29)/29 = - ((2 × 29) ÷ 29)/(29 ÷ 29) = - 2/1 = - 2