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: - 335/164
- 335/164 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 335 = 5 × 67
- 164 = 22 × 41
- GCF (335; 164) = 1
The fraction: - 344/172
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 344 = 23 × 43
- 172 = 22 × 43
- 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 (344; 172) = 22 × 43 = 172
- 344/172 = - (344 ÷ 172)/(172 ÷ 172) = - 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:
- 344/172 = - (23 × 43)/(22 × 43) = - ((23 × 43) ÷ (22 × 43))/((22 × 43) ÷ (22 × 43)) = - 2/1 = - 2