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: - 1/8
- 1/8 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 1 cannot be factored into other prime factors.
- 8 = 23
- GCF (1; 8) = 1
The fraction: - 6/15
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 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 (6; 15) = 3
- 6/15 = - (6 ÷ 3)/(15 ÷ 3) = - 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/15 = - (2 × 3)/(3 × 5) = - ((2 × 3) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 2/5