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: - 19/38
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 19 is a prime number.
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 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 (19; 38) = 19
- 19/38 = - (19 ÷ 19)/(38 ÷ 19) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 19/38 = - 19/(2 × 19) = - (19 ÷ 19)/((2 × 19) ÷ 19) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 25/45
- 25 = 52
- 45 = 32 × 5
- GCF (25; 45) = 5
- 25/45 = - (25 ÷ 5)/(45 ÷ 5) = - 5/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 25/45 = - 52/(32 × 5) = - (52 ÷ 5)/((32 × 5) ÷ 5) = - 5/9