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: - 220/4
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 220 = 22 × 5 × 11
- 4 = 22
- 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 (220; 4) = 22 = 4
- 220/4 = - (220 ÷ 4)/(4 ÷ 4) = - 55/1 = - 55
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 220/4 = - (22 × 5 × 11)/22 = - ((22 × 5 × 11) ÷ 22)/(22 ÷ 22) = - 55/1 = - 55
The fraction: - 227/8
- 227/8 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 227 is a prime number.
- 8 = 23
- GCF (227; 8) = 1