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: - 4/8
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 4 = 22
- 8 = 23
- 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; 8) = 22 = 4
- 4/8 = - (4 ÷ 4)/(8 ÷ 4) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 4/8 = - 22/23 = - (22 ÷ 22)/(23 ÷ 22) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 6/15
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (6; 15) = 3
- 6/15 = - (6 ÷ 3)/(15 ÷ 3) = - 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/15 = - (2 × 3)/(3 × 5) = - ((2 × 3) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 2/5