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: - 15/34
- 15/34 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (15; 34) = 1
The fraction: - 22/44
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 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 (22; 44) = 2 × 11 = 22
- 22/44 = - (22 ÷ 22)/(44 ÷ 22) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 22/44 = - (2 × 11)/(22 × 11) = - ((2 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11))/((22 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11)) = - 1/2