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: - 100/96
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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 (100; 96) = 22 = 4
- 100/96 = - (100 ÷ 4)/(96 ÷ 4) = - 25/24
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 100/96 = - (22 × 52)/(25 × 3) = - ((22 × 52) ÷ 22)/((25 × 3) ÷ 22) = - 25/24