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: - 176/352
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 176 = 24 × 11
- 352 = 25 × 11
- 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 (176; 352) = 24 × 11 = 176
- 176/352 = - (176 ÷ 176)/(352 ÷ 176) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 176/352 = - (24 × 11)/(25 × 11) = - ((24 × 11) ÷ (24 × 11))/((25 × 11) ÷ (24 × 11)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 180/362
- 180 = 22 × 32 × 5
- 362 = 2 × 181
- GCF (180; 362) = 2
- 180/362 = - (180 ÷ 2)/(362 ÷ 2) = - 90/181
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 180/362 = - (22 × 32 × 5)/(2 × 181) = - ((22 × 32 × 5) ÷ 2)/((2 × 181) ÷ 2) = - 90/181