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: - 31/62
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 31 is a prime number.
- 62 = 2 × 31
- 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 (31; 62) = 31
- 31/62 = - (31 ÷ 31)/(62 ÷ 31) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 31/62 = - 31/(2 × 31) = - (31 ÷ 31)/((2 × 31) ÷ 31) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 35/69
- 35/69 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 35 = 5 × 7
- 69 = 3 × 23
- GCF (35; 69) = 1