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: - 27/104
- 27/104 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 27 = 33
- 104 = 23 × 13
- GCF (27; 104) = 1
The fraction: - 37/111
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 37 is a prime number.
- 111 = 3 × 37
- 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 (37; 111) = 37
- 37/111 = - (37 ÷ 37)/(111 ÷ 37) = - 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 37/111 = - 37/(3 × 37) = - (37 ÷ 37)/((3 × 37) ÷ 37) = - 1/3