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: - 644/642
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 644 = 22 × 7 × 23
- 642 = 2 × 3 × 107
- 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 (644; 642) = 2
- 644/642 = - (644 ÷ 2)/(642 ÷ 2) = - 322/321
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 644/642 = - (22 × 7 × 23)/(2 × 3 × 107) = - ((22 × 7 × 23) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 107) ÷ 2) = - 322/321
The fraction: - 646/646
- 646/646 = - (646 ÷ 646)/(646 ÷ 646) = - 1/1 = - 1