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: - 129/43
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 129 = 3 × 43
- 43 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 (129; 43) = 43
- 129/43 = - (129 ÷ 43)/(43 ÷ 43) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 129/43 = - (3 × 43)/43 = - ((3 × 43) ÷ 43)/(43 ÷ 43) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction: - 131/53
- 131/53 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 131 is a prime number.
- 53 is a prime number.
- GCF (131; 53) = 1