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: - 357/30
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 357 = 3 × 7 × 17
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 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 (357; 30) = 3
- 357/30 = - (357 ÷ 3)/(30 ÷ 3) = - 119/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 357/30 = - (3 × 7 × 17)/(2 × 3 × 5) = - ((3 × 7 × 17) ÷ 3)/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 119/10
The fraction: - 360/40
- 360 = 23 × 32 × 5
- 40 = 23 × 5
- GCF (360; 40) = 23 × 5 = 40
- 360/40 = - (360 ÷ 40)/(40 ÷ 40) = - 9/1 = - 9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 360/40 = - (23 × 32 × 5)/(23 × 5) = - ((23 × 32 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5))/((23 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5)) = - 9/1 = - 9