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: - 132/52
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- 52 = 22 × 13
- GCF (132; 52) = 22 = 4
- 132/52 = - (132 ÷ 4)/(52 ÷ 4) = - 33/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 132/52 = - (22 × 3 × 11)/(22 × 13) = - ((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ 22)/((22 × 13) ÷ 22) = - 33/13