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: - 40/160
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 160 = 25 × 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 (40; 160) = 23 × 5 = 40
- 40/160 = - (40 ÷ 40)/(160 ÷ 40) = - 1/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 40/160 = - (23 × 5)/(25 × 5) = - ((23 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5))/((25 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5)) = - 1/4
The fraction: - 45/165
- 45 = 32 × 5
- 165 = 3 × 5 × 11
- GCF (45; 165) = 3 × 5 = 15
- 45/165 = - (45 ÷ 15)/(165 ÷ 15) = - 3/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 45/165 = - (32 × 5)/(3 × 5 × 11) = - ((32 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5))/((3 × 5 × 11) ÷ (3 × 5)) = - 3/11