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: - 46/92
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 92 = 22 × 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 (46; 92) = 2 × 23 = 46
- 46/92 = - (46 ÷ 46)/(92 ÷ 46) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 46/92 = - (2 × 23)/(22 × 23) = - ((2 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23))/((22 × 23) ÷ (2 × 23)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 49/102
- 49/102 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 49 = 72
- 102 = 2 × 3 × 17
- GCF (49; 102) = 1