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: - 1,250/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 1,250 = 2 × 54
- 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 (1,250; 10) = 2 × 5 = 10
- 1,250/10 = - (1,250 ÷ 10)/(10 ÷ 10) = - 125/1 = - 125
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 1,250/10 = - (2 × 54)/(2 × 5) = - ((2 × 54) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = - 125/1 = - 125
The fraction: - 1,254/15
- 1,254 = 2 × 3 × 11 × 19
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (1,254; 15) = 3
- 1,254/15 = - (1,254 ÷ 3)/(15 ÷ 3) = - 418/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 1,254/15 = - (2 × 3 × 11 × 19)/(3 × 5) = - ((2 × 3 × 11 × 19) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 418/5