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: - 118/59
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 118 = 2 × 59
- 59 is a prime number.
- 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 (118; 59) = 59
- 118/59 = - (118 ÷ 59)/(59 ÷ 59) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 118/59 = - (2 × 59)/59 = - ((2 × 59) ÷ 59)/(59 ÷ 59) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 120/68
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 68 = 22 × 17
- GCF (120; 68) = 22 = 4
- 120/68 = - (120 ÷ 4)/(68 ÷ 4) = - 30/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 120/68 = - (23 × 3 × 5)/(22 × 17) = - ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 17) ÷ 22) = - 30/17