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: - 267/89
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 267 = 3 × 89
- 89 is a prime number.
- 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 (267; 89) = 89
- 267/89 = - (267 ÷ 89)/(89 ÷ 89) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 267/89 = - (3 × 89)/89 = - ((3 × 89) ÷ 89)/(89 ÷ 89) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction: - 272/96
- 272 = 24 × 17
- 96 = 25 × 3
- GCF (272; 96) = 24 = 16
- 272/96 = - (272 ÷ 16)/(96 ÷ 16) = - 17/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 272/96 = - (24 × 17)/(25 × 3) = - ((24 × 17) ÷ 24)/((25 × 3) ÷ 24) = - 17/6