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: - 8/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 8 = 23
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (8; 6) = 2
- 8/6 = - (8 ÷ 2)/(6 ÷ 2) = - 4/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 8/6 = - 23/(2 × 3) = - (23 ÷ 2)/((2 × 3) ÷ 2) = - 4/3
The fraction: - 12/12
- 12/12 = - (12 ÷ 12)/(12 ÷ 12) = - 1/1 = - 1