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: - 284/98
- 284 = 22 × 71
- 98 = 2 × 72
- GCF (284; 98) = 2
- 284/98 = - (284 ÷ 2)/(98 ÷ 2) = - 142/49
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 284/98 = - (22 × 71)/(2 × 72) = - ((22 × 71) ÷ 2)/((2 × 72) ÷ 2) = - 142/49