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: - 2/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 2 is a prime number.
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (2; 6) = 2
- 2/6 = - (2 ÷ 2)/(6 ÷ 2) = - 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 2/6 = - 2/(2 × 3) = - (2 ÷ 2)/((2 × 3) ÷ 2) = - 1/3
The fraction: - 10/14
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (10; 14) = 2
- 10/14 = - (10 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = - 5/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 10/14 = - (2 × 5)/(2 × 7) = - ((2 × 5) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 5/7