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: - 76/76
- 76/76 = - (76 ÷ 76)/(76 ÷ 76) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 86/82
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 86 = 2 × 43
- 82 = 2 × 41
- 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 (86; 82) = 2
- 86/82 = - (86 ÷ 2)/(82 ÷ 2) = - 43/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 86/82 = - (2 × 43)/(2 × 41) = - ((2 × 43) ÷ 2)/((2 × 41) ÷ 2) = - 43/41