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: - 176/44
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 176 = 24 × 11
- 44 = 22 × 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; 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
The fraction: - 179/47
- 179/47 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 179 is a prime number.
- 47 is a prime number.
- GCF (179; 47) = 1