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: - 145/290
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 145 = 5 × 29
- 290 = 2 × 5 × 29
- 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 (145; 290) = 5 × 29 = 145
- 145/290 = - (145 ÷ 145)/(290 ÷ 145) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 145/290 = - (5 × 29)/(2 × 5 × 29) = - ((5 × 29) ÷ (5 × 29))/((2 × 5 × 29) ÷ (5 × 29)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 154/292
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 292 = 22 × 73
- GCF (154; 292) = 2
- 154/292 = - (154 ÷ 2)/(292 ÷ 2) = - 77/146
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 154/292 = - (2 × 7 × 11)/(22 × 73) = - ((2 × 7 × 11) ÷ 2)/((22 × 73) ÷ 2) = - 77/146