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: - 142/65
- 142/65 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 142 = 2 × 71
- 65 = 5 × 13
- GCF (142; 65) = 1
The fraction: - 150/75
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 150 = 2 × 3 × 52
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 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 (150; 75) = 3 × 52 = 75
- 150/75 = - (150 ÷ 75)/(75 ÷ 75) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 150/75 = - (2 × 3 × 52)/(3 × 52) = - ((2 × 3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 52))/((3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 52)) = - 2/1 = - 2