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: - 44/88
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 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 (44; 88) = 22 × 11 = 44
- 44/88 = - (44 ÷ 44)/(88 ÷ 44) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 44/88 = - (22 × 11)/(23 × 11) = - ((22 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11))/((23 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 52/96
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 96 = 25 × 3
- GCF (52; 96) = 22 = 4
- 52/96 = - (52 ÷ 4)/(96 ÷ 4) = - 13/24
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 52/96 = - (22 × 13)/(25 × 3) = - ((22 × 13) ÷ 22)/((25 × 3) ÷ 22) = - 13/24