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: - 49/98
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 49 = 72
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 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 (49; 98) = 72 = 49
- 49/98 = - (49 ÷ 49)/(98 ÷ 49) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 49/98 = - 72/(2 × 72) = - (72 ÷ 72)/((2 × 72) ÷ 72) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 54/104
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 104 = 23 × 13
- GCF (54; 104) = 2
- 54/104 = - (54 ÷ 2)/(104 ÷ 2) = - 27/52
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 54/104 = - (2 × 33)/(23 × 13) = - ((2 × 33) ÷ 2)/((23 × 13) ÷ 2) = - 27/52