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: - 276/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 276 = 22 × 3 × 23
- 92 = 22 × 23
- 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 (276; 92) = 22 × 23 = 92
- 276/92 = - (276 ÷ 92)/(92 ÷ 92) = - 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:
- 276/92 = - (22 × 3 × 23)/(22 × 23) = - ((22 × 3 × 23) ÷ (22 × 23))/((22 × 23) ÷ (22 × 23)) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction: - 281/95
- 281/95 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 281 is a prime number.
- 95 = 5 × 19
- GCF (281; 95) = 1