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: - 108/216
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 216 = 23 × 33
- 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 (108; 216) = 22 × 33 = 108
- 108/216 = - (108 ÷ 108)/(216 ÷ 108) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 108/216 = - (22 × 33)/(23 × 33) = - ((22 × 33) ÷ (22 × 33))/((23 × 33) ÷ (22 × 33)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 118/225
- 118/225 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 118 = 2 × 59
- 225 = 32 × 52
- GCF (118; 225) = 1