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: - 88/80
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 80 = 24 × 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 (88; 80) = 23 = 8
- 88/80 = - (88 ÷ 8)/(80 ÷ 8) = - 11/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 88/80 = - (23 × 11)/(24 × 5) = - ((23 × 11) ÷ 23)/((24 × 5) ÷ 23) = - 11/10
The fraction: - 90/90
- 90/90 = - (90 ÷ 90)/(90 ÷ 90) = - 1/1 = - 1