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: - 16/82
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 16 = 24
- 82 = 2 × 41
- 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 (16; 82) = 2
- 16/82 = - (16 ÷ 2)/(82 ÷ 2) = - 8/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 16/82 = - 24/(2 × 41) = - (24 ÷ 2)/((2 × 41) ÷ 2) = - 8/41
The fraction: - 22/88
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 88 = 23 × 11
- GCF (22; 88) = 2 × 11 = 22
- 22/88 = - (22 ÷ 22)/(88 ÷ 22) = - 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 22/88 = - (2 × 11)/(23 × 11) = - ((2 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11))/((23 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11)) = - 1/4