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: - 4/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 4 = 22
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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 (4; 100) = 22 = 4
- 4/100 = - (4 ÷ 4)/(100 ÷ 4) = - 1/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 4/100 = - 22/(22 × 52) = - (22 ÷ 22)/((22 × 52) ÷ 22) = - 1/25
The fraction: - 9/102
- 9 = 32
- 102 = 2 × 3 × 17
- GCF (9; 102) = 3
- 9/102 = - (9 ÷ 3)/(102 ÷ 3) = - 3/34
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 9/102 = - 32/(2 × 3 × 17) = - (32 ÷ 3)/((2 × 3 × 17) ÷ 3) = - 3/34