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: - 31/60
- 31/60 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 31 is a prime number.
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- GCF (31; 60) = 1
The fraction: - 34/68
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 68 = 22 × 17
- 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 (34; 68) = 2 × 17 = 34
- 34/68 = - (34 ÷ 34)/(68 ÷ 34) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 34/68 = - (2 × 17)/(22 × 17) = - ((2 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17))/((22 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17)) = - 1/2