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: - 84/81
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 81 = 34
- 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 (84; 81) = 3
- 84/81 = - (84 ÷ 3)/(81 ÷ 3) = - 28/27
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 84/81 = - (22 × 3 × 7)/34 = - ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ 3)/(34 ÷ 3) = - 28/27