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: - 255/15
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 255 = 3 × 5 × 17
- 15 = 3 × 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 (255; 15) = 3 × 5 = 15
- 255/15 = - (255 ÷ 15)/(15 ÷ 15) = - 17/1 = - 17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 255/15 = - (3 × 5 × 17)/(3 × 5) = - ((3 × 5 × 17) ÷ (3 × 5))/((3 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5)) = - 17/1 = - 17
The fraction: - 260/19
- 260/19 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 260 = 22 × 5 × 13
- 19 is a prime number.
- GCF (260; 19) = 1