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: - 3/27
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 3 is a prime number.
- 27 = 33
- 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 (3; 27) = 3
- 3/27 = - (3 ÷ 3)/(27 ÷ 3) = - 1/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 3/27 = - 3/33 = - (3 ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = - 1/9
The fraction: - 7/29
- 7/29 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 7 is a prime number.
- 29 is a prime number.
- GCF (7; 29) = 1