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: - 2/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 2 is a prime number.
- 8 = 23
- 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; 8) = 2
- 2/8 = - (2 ÷ 2)/(8 ÷ 2) = - 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 2/8 = - 2/23 = - (2 ÷ 2)/(23 ÷ 2) = - 1/4
The fraction: - 11/18
- 11/18 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 11 is a prime number.
- 18 = 2 × 32
- GCF (11; 18) = 1