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: - 50/105
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 105 = 3 × 5 × 7
- 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 (50; 105) = 5
- 50/105 = - (50 ÷ 5)/(105 ÷ 5) = - 10/21
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 50/105 = - (2 × 52)/(3 × 5 × 7) = - ((2 × 52) ÷ 5)/((3 × 5 × 7) ÷ 5) = - 10/21
The fraction: - 56/112
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 112 = 24 × 7
- GCF (56; 112) = 23 × 7 = 56
- 56/112 = - (56 ÷ 56)/(112 ÷ 56) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 56/112 = - (23 × 7)/(24 × 7) = - ((23 × 7) ÷ (23 × 7))/((24 × 7) ÷ (23 × 7)) = - 1/2