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: - 48/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (48; 26) = 2
- 48/26 = - (48 ÷ 2)/(26 ÷ 2) = - 24/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 48/26 = - (24 × 3)/(2 × 13) = - ((24 × 3) ÷ 2)/((2 × 13) ÷ 2) = - 24/13
The fraction: - 56/28
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 28 = 22 × 7
- GCF (56; 28) = 22 × 7 = 28
- 56/28 = - (56 ÷ 28)/(28 ÷ 28) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 56/28 = - (23 × 7)/(22 × 7) = - ((23 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7))/((22 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = - 2/1 = - 2