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: - 34/84
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 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 (34; 84) = 2
- 34/84 = - (34 ÷ 2)/(84 ÷ 2) = - 17/42
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 34/84 = - (2 × 17)/(22 × 3 × 7) = - ((2 × 17) ÷ 2)/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 17/42
The fraction: - 44/88
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 88 = 23 × 11
- GCF (44; 88) = 22 × 11 = 44
- 44/88 = - (44 ÷ 44)/(88 ÷ 44) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 44/88 = - (22 × 11)/(23 × 11) = - ((22 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11))/((23 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11)) = - 1/2