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: - 184/28
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 184 = 23 × 23
- 28 = 22 × 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 (184; 28) = 22 = 4
- 184/28 = - (184 ÷ 4)/(28 ÷ 4) = - 46/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 184/28 = - (23 × 23)/(22 × 7) = - ((23 × 23) ÷ 22)/((22 × 7) ÷ 22) = - 46/7
The fraction: - 186/31
- 186 = 2 × 3 × 31
- 31 is a prime number.
- GCF (186; 31) = 31
- 186/31 = - (186 ÷ 31)/(31 ÷ 31) = - 6/1 = - 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 186/31 = - (2 × 3 × 31)/31 = - ((2 × 3 × 31) ÷ 31)/(31 ÷ 31) = - 6/1 = - 6