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: - 57/19
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 57 = 3 × 19
- 19 is a prime number.
- 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 (57; 19) = 19
- 57/19 = - (57 ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 57/19 = - (3 × 19)/19 = - ((3 × 19) ÷ 19)/(19 ÷ 19) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction: - 60/26
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 26 = 2 × 13
- GCF (60; 26) = 2
- 60/26 = - (60 ÷ 2)/(26 ÷ 2) = - 30/13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 60/26 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 13) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ 2)/((2 × 13) ÷ 2) = - 30/13