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: - 615/615
- 615/615 = - (615 ÷ 615)/(615 ÷ 615) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 625/620
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 625 = 54
- 620 = 22 × 5 × 31
- 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 (625; 620) = 5
- 625/620 = - (625 ÷ 5)/(620 ÷ 5) = - 125/124
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 625/620 = - 54/(22 × 5 × 31) = - (54 ÷ 5)/((22 × 5 × 31) ÷ 5) = - 125/124