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: - 24/4
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (24; 4) = 22 = 4
- 24/4 = - (24 ÷ 4)/(4 ÷ 4) = - 6/1 = - 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 24/4 = - (23 × 3)/22 = - ((23 × 3) ÷ 22)/(22 ÷ 22) = - 6/1 = - 6
The fraction: - 34/6
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 6 = 2 × 3
- GCF (34; 6) = 2
- 34/6 = - (34 ÷ 2)/(6 ÷ 2) = - 17/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 34/6 = - (2 × 17)/(2 × 3) = - ((2 × 17) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3) ÷ 2) = - 17/3