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: - 82/82
- 82/82 = - (82 ÷ 82)/(82 ÷ 82) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 90/85
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- 85 = 5 × 17
- 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 (90; 85) = 5
- 90/85 = - (90 ÷ 5)/(85 ÷ 5) = - 18/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 90/85 = - (2 × 32 × 5)/(5 × 17) = - ((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ 5)/((5 × 17) ÷ 5) = - 18/17