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: - 104/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 104 = 23 × 13
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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; 100) = 22 = 4
- 104/100 = - (104 ÷ 4)/(100 ÷ 4) = - 26/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 104/100 = - (23 × 13)/(22 × 52) = - ((23 × 13) ÷ 22)/((22 × 52) ÷ 22) = - 26/25