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: - 119/17
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 119 = 7 × 17
- 17 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 (119; 17) = 17
- 119/17 = - (119 ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = - 7/1 = - 7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 119/17 = - (7 × 17)/17 = - ((7 × 17) ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = - 7/1 = - 7
The fraction: - 124/20
- 124 = 22 × 31
- 20 = 22 × 5
- GCF (124; 20) = 22 = 4
- 124/20 = - (124 ÷ 4)/(20 ÷ 4) = - 31/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 124/20 = - (22 × 31)/(22 × 5) = - ((22 × 31) ÷ 22)/((22 × 5) ÷ 22) = - 31/5