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: - 78/74
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- 74 = 2 × 37
- 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 (78; 74) = 2
- 78/74 = - (78 ÷ 2)/(74 ÷ 2) = - 39/37
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 78/74 = - (2 × 3 × 13)/(2 × 37) = - ((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 37) ÷ 2) = - 39/37
The fraction: - 82/82
- 82/82 = - (82 ÷ 82)/(82 ÷ 82) = - 1/1 = - 1