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: - 94/94
- 94/94 = - (94 ÷ 94)/(94 ÷ 94) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 104/96
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 104 = 23 × 13
- 96 = 25 × 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 (104; 96) = 23 = 8
- 104/96 = - (104 ÷ 8)/(96 ÷ 8) = - 13/12
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 104/96 = - (23 × 13)/(25 × 3) = - ((23 × 13) ÷ 23)/((25 × 3) ÷ 23) = - 13/12