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: - 139/556
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 139 is a prime number.
- 556 = 22 × 139
- 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 (139; 556) = 139
- 139/556 = - (139 ÷ 139)/(556 ÷ 139) = - 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 139/556 = - 139/(22 × 139) = - (139 ÷ 139)/((22 × 139) ÷ 139) = - 1/4
The fraction: - 143/558
- 143/558 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 143 = 11 × 13
- 558 = 2 × 32 × 31
- GCF (143; 558) = 1