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: - 78/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 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; 76) = 2
- 78/76 = - (78 ÷ 2)/(76 ÷ 2) = - 39/38
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 78/76 = - (2 × 3 × 13)/(22 × 19) = - ((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ 2)/((22 × 19) ÷ 2) = - 39/38
The fraction: - 81/81
- 81/81 = - (81 ÷ 81)/(81 ÷ 81) = - 1/1 = - 1