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: - 70/62
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 7
- 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 (70; 62) = 2
- 70/62 = - (70 ÷ 2)/(62 ÷ 2) = - 35/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 70/62 = - (2 × 5 × 7)/(2 × 31) = - ((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 31) ÷ 2) = - 35/31
The fraction: - 72/72
- 72/72 = - (72 ÷ 72)/(72 ÷ 72) = - 1/1 = - 1