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: - 268/67
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 268 = 22 × 67
- 67 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 (268; 67) = 67
- 268/67 = - (268 ÷ 67)/(67 ÷ 67) = - 4/1 = - 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 268/67 = - (22 × 67)/67 = - ((22 × 67) ÷ 67)/(67 ÷ 67) = - 4/1 = - 4
The fraction: - 270/70
- 270 = 2 × 33 × 5
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 7
- GCF (270; 70) = 2 × 5 = 10
- 270/70 = - (270 ÷ 10)/(70 ÷ 10) = - 27/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 270/70 = - (2 × 33 × 5)/(2 × 5 × 7) = - ((2 × 33 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ (2 × 5)) = - 27/7