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: - 89/89
- 89/89 = - (89 ÷ 89)/(89 ÷ 89) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 96/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 96 = 25 × 3
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 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 (96; 92) = 22 = 4
- 96/92 = - (96 ÷ 4)/(92 ÷ 4) = - 24/23
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 96/92 = - (25 × 3)/(22 × 23) = - ((25 × 3) ÷ 22)/((22 × 23) ÷ 22) = - 24/23