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: - 174/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 174 = 2 × 3 × 29
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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 (174; 36) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 174/36 = - (174 ÷ 6)/(36 ÷ 6) = - 29/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 174/36 = - (2 × 3 × 29)/(22 × 32) = - ((2 × 3 × 29) ÷ (2 × 3))/((22 × 32) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 29/6
The fraction: - 176/44
- 176 = 24 × 11
- 44 = 22 × 11
- GCF (176; 44) = 22 × 11 = 44
- 176/44 = - (176 ÷ 44)/(44 ÷ 44) = - 4/1 = - 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 176/44 = - (24 × 11)/(22 × 11) = - ((24 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11))/((22 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11)) = - 4/1 = - 4