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: - 356/177
- 356/177 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 356 = 22 × 89
- 177 = 3 × 59
- GCF (356; 177) = 1
The fraction: - 364/182
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 364 = 22 × 7 × 13
- 182 = 2 × 7 × 13
- 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 (364; 182) = 2 × 7 × 13 = 182
- 364/182 = - (364 ÷ 182)/(182 ÷ 182) = - 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:
- 364/182 = - (22 × 7 × 13)/(2 × 7 × 13) = - ((22 × 7 × 13) ÷ (2 × 7 × 13))/((2 × 7 × 13) ÷ (2 × 7 × 13)) = - 2/1 = - 2