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: - 22/11
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 11 is a prime number.
- 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 (22; 11) = 11
- 22/11 = - (22 ÷ 11)/(11 ÷ 11) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 22/11 = - (2 × 11)/11 = - ((2 × 11) ÷ 11)/(11 ÷ 11) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 24/15
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (24; 15) = 3
- 24/15 = - (24 ÷ 3)/(15 ÷ 3) = - 8/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 24/15 = - (23 × 3)/(3 × 5) = - ((23 × 3) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 8/5