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: - 23/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 23 is a prime number.
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 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 (23; 92) = 23
- 23/92 = - (23 ÷ 23)/(92 ÷ 23) = - 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 23/92 = - 23/(22 × 23) = - (23 ÷ 23)/((22 × 23) ÷ 23) = - 1/4
The fraction: - 30/96
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 96 = 25 × 3
- GCF (30; 96) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 30/96 = - (30 ÷ 6)/(96 ÷ 6) = - 5/16
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 30/96 = - (2 × 3 × 5)/(25 × 3) = - ((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3))/((25 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 5/16