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: - 232/44
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 232 = 23 × 29
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 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 (232; 44) = 22 = 4
- 232/44 = - (232 ÷ 4)/(44 ÷ 4) = - 58/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 232/44 = - (23 × 29)/(22 × 11) = - ((23 × 29) ÷ 22)/((22 × 11) ÷ 22) = - 58/11
The fraction: - 240/48
- 240 = 24 × 3 × 5
- 48 = 24 × 3
- GCF (240; 48) = 24 × 3 = 48
- 240/48 = - (240 ÷ 48)/(48 ÷ 48) = - 5/1 = - 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 240/48 = - (24 × 3 × 5)/(24 × 3) = - ((24 × 3 × 5) ÷ (24 × 3))/((24 × 3) ÷ (24 × 3)) = - 5/1 = - 5