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: - 204/51
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 204 = 22 × 3 × 17
- 51 = 3 × 17
- 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 (204; 51) = 3 × 17 = 51
- 204/51 = - (204 ÷ 51)/(51 ÷ 51) = - 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:
- 204/51 = - (22 × 3 × 17)/(3 × 17) = - ((22 × 3 × 17) ÷ (3 × 17))/((3 × 17) ÷ (3 × 17)) = - 4/1 = - 4
The fraction: - 210/58
- 210 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 7
- 58 = 2 × 29
- GCF (210; 58) = 2
- 210/58 = - (210 ÷ 2)/(58 ÷ 2) = - 105/29
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 210/58 = - (2 × 3 × 5 × 7)/(2 × 29) = - ((2 × 3 × 5 × 7) ÷ 2)/((2 × 29) ÷ 2) = - 105/29