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: - 30/14
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 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 (30; 14) = 2
- 30/14 = - (30 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = - 15/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 30/14 = - (2 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 7) = - ((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 15/7
The fraction: - 38/19
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 19 is a prime number.
- GCF (38; 19) = 19
- 38/19 = - (38 ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 38/19 = - (2 × 19)/19 = - ((2 × 19) ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = - 2/1 = - 2