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: - 97/97
- 97/97 = - (97 ÷ 97)/(97 ÷ 97) = - 1/1 = - 1
The fraction: - 105/99
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 105 = 3 × 5 × 7
- 99 = 32 × 11
- 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 (105; 99) = 3
- 105/99 = - (105 ÷ 3)/(99 ÷ 3) = - 35/33
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 105/99 = - (3 × 5 × 7)/(32 × 11) = - ((3 × 5 × 7) ÷ 3)/((32 × 11) ÷ 3) = - 35/33