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: - 64/62
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 64 = 26
- 62 = 2 × 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 (64; 62) = 2
- 64/62 = - (64 ÷ 2)/(62 ÷ 2) = - 32/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 64/62 = - 26/(2 × 31) = - (26 ÷ 2)/((2 × 31) ÷ 2) = - 32/31
The fraction: - 71/71
- 71/71 = - (71 ÷ 71)/(71 ÷ 71) = - 1/1 = - 1