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: - 125/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 125 = 53
- 10 = 2 × 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 (125; 10) = 5
- 125/10 = - (125 ÷ 5)/(10 ÷ 5) = - 25/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 125/10 = - 53/(2 × 5) = - (53 ÷ 5)/((2 × 5) ÷ 5) = - 25/2
The fraction: - 135/15
- 135 = 33 × 5
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (135; 15) = 3 × 5 = 15
- 135/15 = - (135 ÷ 15)/(15 ÷ 15) = - 9/1 = - 9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 135/15 = - (33 × 5)/(3 × 5) = - ((33 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5))/((3 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5)) = - 9/1 = - 9