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: - 196/40
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 196 = 22 × 72
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 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 (196; 40) = 22 = 4
- 196/40 = - (196 ÷ 4)/(40 ÷ 4) = - 49/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 196/40 = - (22 × 72)/(23 × 5) = - ((22 × 72) ÷ 22)/((23 × 5) ÷ 22) = - 49/10
The fraction: - 200/50
- 200 = 23 × 52
- 50 = 2 × 52
- GCF (200; 50) = 2 × 52 = 50
- 200/50 = - (200 ÷ 50)/(50 ÷ 50) = - 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:
- 200/50 = - (23 × 52)/(2 × 52) = - ((23 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52))/((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52)) = - 4/1 = - 4