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: - 355/27
- 355/27 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 355 = 5 × 71
- 27 = 33
- GCF (355; 27) = 1
The fraction: - 363/33
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 363 = 3 × 112
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 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 (363; 33) = 3 × 11 = 33
- 363/33 = - (363 ÷ 33)/(33 ÷ 33) = - 11/1 = - 11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 363/33 = - (3 × 112)/(3 × 11) = - ((3 × 112) ÷ (3 × 11))/((3 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11)) = - 11/1 = - 11