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: - 216/14
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 216 = 23 × 33
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 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 (216; 14) = 2
- 216/14 = - (216 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = - 108/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 216/14 = - (23 × 33)/(2 × 7) = - ((23 × 33) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 108/7
The fraction: - 220/20
- 220 = 22 × 5 × 11
- 20 = 22 × 5
- GCF (220; 20) = 22 × 5 = 20
- 220/20 = - (220 ÷ 20)/(20 ÷ 20) = - 11/1 = - 11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 220/20 = - (22 × 5 × 11)/(22 × 5) = - ((22 × 5 × 11) ÷ (22 × 5))/((22 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5)) = - 11/1 = - 11