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: - 250/25
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 250 = 2 × 53
- 25 = 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 (250; 25) = 52 = 25
- 250/25 = - (250 ÷ 25)/(25 ÷ 25) = - 10/1 = - 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 250/25 = - (2 × 53)/52 = - ((2 × 53) ÷ 52)/(52 ÷ 52) = - 10/1 = - 10
The fraction: - 252/29
- 252/29 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 252 = 22 × 32 × 7
- 29 is a prime number.
- GCF (252; 29) = 1