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: - 294/32
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 294 = 2 × 3 × 72
- 32 = 25
- 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 (294; 32) = 2
- 294/32 = - (294 ÷ 2)/(32 ÷ 2) = - 147/16
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 294/32 = - (2 × 3 × 72)/25 = - ((2 × 3 × 72) ÷ 2)/(25 ÷ 2) = - 147/16
The fraction: - 296/37
- 296 = 23 × 37
- 37 is a prime number.
- GCF (296; 37) = 37
- 296/37 = - (296 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = - 8/1 = - 8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 296/37 = - (23 × 37)/37 = - ((23 × 37) ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = - 8/1 = - 8