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: - 46/10
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 10 = 2 × 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 (46; 10) = 2
- 46/10 = - (46 ÷ 2)/(10 ÷ 2) = - 23/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 46/10 = - (2 × 23)/(2 × 5) = - ((2 × 23) ÷ 2)/((2 × 5) ÷ 2) = - 23/5
The fraction: - 52/13
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 13 is a prime number.
- GCF (52; 13) = 13
- 52/13 = - (52 ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = - 4/1 = - 4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 52/13 = - (22 × 13)/13 = - ((22 × 13) ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = - 4/1 = - 4