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: - 30/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 6 = 2 × 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 (30; 6) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 30/6 = - (30 ÷ 6)/(6 ÷ 6) = - 5/1 = - 5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 30/6 = - (2 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 3) = - ((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 5/1 = - 5
The fraction: - 35/15
- 35 = 5 × 7
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (35; 15) = 5
- 35/15 = - (35 ÷ 5)/(15 ÷ 5) = - 7/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 35/15 = - (5 × 7)/(3 × 5) = - ((5 × 7) ÷ 5)/((3 × 5) ÷ 5) = - 7/3