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: - 164/14
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 164 = 22 × 41
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 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 (164; 14) = 2
- 164/14 = - (164 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = - 82/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 164/14 = - (22 × 41)/(2 × 7) = - ((22 × 41) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 82/7
The fraction: - 170/17
- 170 = 2 × 5 × 17
- 17 is a prime number.
- GCF (170; 17) = 17
- 170/17 = - (170 ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = - 10/1 = - 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 170/17 = - (2 × 5 × 17)/17 = - ((2 × 5 × 17) ÷ 17)/(17 ÷ 17) = - 10/1 = - 10