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: - 96/93
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 96 = 25 × 3
- 93 = 3 × 31
- 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; 93) = 3
- 96/93 = - (96 ÷ 3)/(93 ÷ 3) = - 32/31
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 96/93 = - (25 × 3)/(3 × 31) = - ((25 × 3) ÷ 3)/((3 × 31) ÷ 3) = - 32/31