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: - 84/84
- 84/84 = - (84 ÷ 84)/(84 ÷ 84) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 92/90
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- 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 (92; 90) = 2
- 92/90 = - (92 ÷ 2)/(90 ÷ 2) = - 46/45
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 92/90 = - (22 × 23)/(2 × 32 × 5) = - ((22 × 23) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ 2) = - 46/45