Simplify the following fraction to lowest terms.
$-\frac{28}{49}$

• A. $-\frac{4}{7}$
• B. $-\frac{3}{7}$
• C. $\frac{3}{7}$
• D. $\frac{4}{7}$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the fraction to simplify: \(-\frac{28}{49}\), where the numerator is -28 and the denominator is 49.
2. Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the absolute values of the numerator and denominator. In this case, find \(\text{GCD}(28, 49)\).
3. Divide both the numerator and the denominator by the GCD to reduce the fraction to its lowest terms: \(\frac{28 \div \text{GCD}}{49 \div \text{GCD}}\).
4. Apply the negative sign to the simplified fraction, keeping the numerator negative or placing the negative sign in front of the fraction.
5. Write the simplified fraction as \(-\frac{a}{b}\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are the reduced numerator and denominator respectively.