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: - 154/75
- 154/75 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 154 = 2 × 7 × 11
- 75 = 3 × 52
- GCF (154; 75) = 1
The fraction: - 162/81
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 162 = 2 × 34
- 81 = 34
- 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 (162; 81) = 34 = 81
- 162/81 = - (162 ÷ 81)/(81 ÷ 81) = - 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:
- 162/81 = - (2 × 34)/34 = - ((2 × 34) ÷ 34)/(34 ÷ 34) = - 2/1 = - 2