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: - 366/183
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 366 = 2 × 3 × 61
- 183 = 3 × 61
- 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 (366; 183) = 3 × 61 = 183
- 366/183 = - (366 ÷ 183)/(183 ÷ 183) = - 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:
- 366/183 = - (2 × 3 × 61)/(3 × 61) = - ((2 × 3 × 61) ÷ (3 × 61))/((3 × 61) ÷ (3 × 61)) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 372/187
- 372/187 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 372 = 22 × 3 × 31
- 187 = 11 × 17
- GCF (372; 187) = 1