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: - 581/581
- 581/581 = - (581 ÷ 581)/(581 ÷ 581) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 590/588
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 590 = 2 × 5 × 59
- 588 = 22 × 3 × 72
- 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 (590; 588) = 2
- 590/588 = - (590 ÷ 2)/(588 ÷ 2) = - 295/294
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 590/588 = - (2 × 5 × 59)/(22 × 3 × 72) = - ((2 × 5 × 59) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3 × 72) ÷ 2) = - 295/294