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: - 25/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 25 = 52
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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 (25; 100) = 52 = 25
- 25/100 = - (25 ÷ 25)/(100 ÷ 25) = - 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 25/100 = - 52/(22 × 52) = - (52 ÷ 52)/((22 × 52) ÷ 52) = - 1/4
The fraction: - 31/107
- 31/107 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 31 is a prime number.
- 107 is a prime number.
- GCF (31; 107) = 1