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: - 54/9
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 9 = 32
- 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; 9) = 32 = 9
- 54/9 = - (54 ÷ 9)/(9 ÷ 9) = - 6/1 = - 6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 54/9 = - (2 × 33)/32 = - ((2 × 33) ÷ 32)/(32 ÷ 32) = - 6/1 = - 6
The fraction: - 63/12
- 63 = 32 × 7
- 12 = 22 × 3
- GCF (63; 12) = 3
- 63/12 = - (63 ÷ 3)/(12 ÷ 3) = - 21/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 63/12 = - (32 × 7)/(22 × 3) = - ((32 × 7) ÷ 3)/((22 × 3) ÷ 3) = - 21/4