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: - 24/90
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 5
- 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; 90) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 24/90 = - (24 ÷ 6)/(90 ÷ 6) = - 4/15
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 24/90 = - (23 × 3)/(2 × 32 × 5) = - ((23 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 4/15
The fraction: - 33/99
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 99 = 32 × 11
- GCF (33; 99) = 3 × 11 = 33
- 33/99 = - (33 ÷ 33)/(99 ÷ 33) = - 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 33/99 = - (3 × 11)/(32 × 11) = - ((3 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11))/((32 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11)) = - 1/3