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: - 20,278/16
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 20,278 = 2 × 10,139
- 16 = 24
- 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 (20,278; 16) = 2
- 20,278/16 = - (20,278 ÷ 2)/(16 ÷ 2) = - 10,139/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 20,278/16 = - (2 × 10,139)/24 = - ((2 × 10,139) ÷ 2)/(24 ÷ 2) = - 10,139/8
The fraction: - 20,280/24
- 20,280 = 23 × 3 × 5 × 132
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (20,280; 24) = 23 × 3 = 24
- 20,280/24 = - (20,280 ÷ 24)/(24 ÷ 24) = - 845/1 = - 845
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 20,280/24 = - (23 × 3 × 5 × 132)/(23 × 3) = - ((23 × 3 × 5 × 132) ÷ (23 × 3))/((23 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3)) = - 845/1 = - 845