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: - 20/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 12 = 22 × 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 (20; 12) = 22 = 4
- 20/12 = - (20 ÷ 4)/(12 ÷ 4) = - 5/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 20/12 = - (22 × 5)/(22 × 3) = - ((22 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 3) ÷ 22) = - 5/3
The fraction: - 22/22
- 22/22 = - (22 ÷ 22)/(22 ÷ 22) = - 1/1 = - 1