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: - 264/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 264 = 23 × 3 × 11
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (264; 24) = 23 × 3 = 24
- 264/24 = - (264 ÷ 24)/(24 ÷ 24) = - 11/1 = - 11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 264/24 = - (23 × 3 × 11)/(23 × 3) = - ((23 × 3 × 11) ÷ (23 × 3))/((23 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3)) = - 11/1 = - 11
The fraction: - 270/29
- 270/29 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 270 = 2 × 33 × 5
- 29 is a prime number.
- GCF (270; 29) = 1