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: - 54/108
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 108 = 22 × 33
- 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 (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
The fraction: - 57/117
- 57 = 3 × 19
- 117 = 32 × 13
- GCF (57; 117) = 3
- 57/117 = - (57 ÷ 3)/(117 ÷ 3) = - 19/39
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 57/117 = - (3 × 19)/(32 × 13) = - ((3 × 19) ÷ 3)/((32 × 13) ÷ 3) = - 19/39