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: - 639/639
- 639/639 = - (639 ÷ 639)/(639 ÷ 639) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 648/645
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 648 = 23 × 34
- 645 = 3 × 5 × 43
- 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 (648; 645) = 3
- 648/645 = - (648 ÷ 3)/(645 ÷ 3) = - 216/215
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 648/645 = - (23 × 34)/(3 × 5 × 43) = - ((23 × 34) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5 × 43) ÷ 3) = - 216/215