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: - 164/30
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 164 = 22 × 41
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 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; 30) = 2
- 164/30 = - (164 ÷ 2)/(30 ÷ 2) = - 82/15
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 164/30 = - (22 × 41)/(2 × 3 × 5) = - ((22 × 41) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2) = - 82/15
The fraction: - 170/34
- 170 = 2 × 5 × 17
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (170; 34) = 2 × 17 = 34
- 170/34 = - (170 ÷ 34)/(34 ÷ 34) = - 5/1 = - 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 170/34 = - (2 × 5 × 17)/(2 × 17) = - ((2 × 5 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17))/((2 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17)) = - 5/1 = - 5