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: - 76/72
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 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 (76; 72) = 22 = 4
- 76/72 = - (76 ÷ 4)/(72 ÷ 4) = - 19/18
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 76/72 = - (22 × 19)/(23 × 32) = - ((22 × 19) ÷ 22)/((23 × 32) ÷ 22) = - 19/18
The fraction: - 80/80
- 80/80 = - (80 ÷ 80)/(80 ÷ 80) = - 1/1 = - 1