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: - 144/141
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 144 = 24 × 32
- 141 = 3 × 47
- 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 (144; 141) = 3
- 144/141 = - (144 ÷ 3)/(141 ÷ 3) = - 48/47
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 144/141 = - (24 × 32)/(3 × 47) = - ((24 × 32) ÷ 3)/((3 × 47) ÷ 3) = - 48/47
The fraction: - 150/150
- 150/150 = - (150 ÷ 150)/(150 ÷ 150) = - 1/1 = - 1