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: - 1,030/74
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 1,030 = 2 × 5 × 103
- 74 = 2 × 37
- 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 (1,030; 74) = 2
- 1,030/74 = - (1,030 ÷ 2)/(74 ÷ 2) = - 515/37
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 1,030/74 = - (2 × 5 × 103)/(2 × 37) = - ((2 × 5 × 103) ÷ 2)/((2 × 37) ÷ 2) = - 515/37
The fraction: - 1,040/80
- 1,040 = 24 × 5 × 13
- 80 = 24 × 5
- GCF (1,040; 80) = 24 × 5 = 80
- 1,040/80 = - (1,040 ÷ 80)/(80 ÷ 80) = - 13/1 = - 13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 1,040/80 = - (24 × 5 × 13)/(24 × 5) = - ((24 × 5 × 13) ÷ (24 × 5))/((24 × 5) ÷ (24 × 5)) = - 13/1 = - 13