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: - 48/90
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 90 = 2 × 32 × 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 (48; 90) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 48/90 = - (48 ÷ 6)/(90 ÷ 6) = - 8/15
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 48/90 = - (24 × 3)/(2 × 32 × 5) = - ((24 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 32 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 8/15
The fraction: - 50/100
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 100 = 22 × 52
- GCF (50; 100) = 2 × 52 = 50
- 50/100 = - (50 ÷ 50)/(100 ÷ 50) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 50/100 = - (2 × 52)/(22 × 52) = - ((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52))/((22 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52)) = - 1/2