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: - 9/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 9 = 32
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (9; 6) = 3
- 9/6 = - (9 ÷ 3)/(6 ÷ 3) = - 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 9/6 = - 32/(2 × 3) = - (32 ÷ 3)/((2 × 3) ÷ 3) = - 3/2
The fraction: - 12/12
- 12/12 = - (12 ÷ 12)/(12 ÷ 12) = - 1/1 = - 1