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: - 52/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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 (52; 100) = 22 = 4
- 52/100 = - (52 ÷ 4)/(100 ÷ 4) = - 13/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 52/100 = - (22 × 13)/(22 × 52) = - ((22 × 13) ÷ 22)/((22 × 52) ÷ 22) = - 13/25
The fraction: - 54/108
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 108 = 22 × 33
- GCF (54; 108) = 2 × 33 = 54
- 54/108 = - (54 ÷ 54)/(108 ÷ 54) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 54/108 = - (2 × 33)/(22 × 33) = - ((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 33))/((22 × 33) ÷ (2 × 33)) = - 1/2