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: - 290/48
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 290 = 2 × 5 × 29
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 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 (290; 48) = 2
- 290/48 = - (290 ÷ 2)/(48 ÷ 2) = - 145/24
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 290/48 = - (2 × 5 × 29)/(24 × 3) = - ((2 × 5 × 29) ÷ 2)/((24 × 3) ÷ 2) = - 145/24
The fraction: - 300/50
- 300 = 22 × 3 × 52
- 50 = 2 × 52
- GCF (300; 50) = 2 × 52 = 50
- 300/50 = - (300 ÷ 50)/(50 ÷ 50) = - 6/1 = - 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 300/50 = - (22 × 3 × 52)/(2 × 52) = - ((22 × 3 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52))/((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52)) = - 6/1 = - 6