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: - 24/48
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 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 (24; 48) = 23 × 3 = 24
- 24/48 = - (24 ÷ 24)/(48 ÷ 24) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 24/48 = - (23 × 3)/(24 × 3) = - ((23 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3))/((24 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 32/52
- 32 = 25
- 52 = 22 × 13
- GCF (32; 52) = 22 = 4
- 32/52 = - (32 ÷ 4)/(52 ÷ 4) = - 8/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 32/52 = - 25/(22 × 13) = - (25 ÷ 22)/((22 × 13) ÷ 22) = - 8/13