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: - 27/3
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 3 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 (27; 3) = 3
- 27/3 = - (27 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = - 9/1 = - 9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 27/3 = - 33/3 = - (33 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = - 9/1 = - 9
The fraction: - 31/11
- 31/11 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 31 is a prime number.
- 11 is a prime number.
- GCF (31; 11) = 1