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: - 63/24
- 63 = 32 × 7
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (63; 24) = 3
- 63/24 = - (63 ÷ 3)/(24 ÷ 3) = - 21/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 63/24 = - (32 × 7)/(23 × 3) = - ((32 × 7) ÷ 3)/((23 × 3) ÷ 3) = - 21/8