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: - 576/18
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 576 = 26 × 32
- 18 = 2 × 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 (576; 18) = 2 × 32 = 18
- 576/18 = - (576 ÷ 18)/(18 ÷ 18) = - 32/1 = - 32
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 576/18 = - (26 × 32)/(2 × 32) = - ((26 × 32) ÷ (2 × 32))/((2 × 32) ÷ (2 × 32)) = - 32/1 = - 32
The fraction: - 585/27
- 585 = 32 × 5 × 13
- 27 = 33
- GCF (585; 27) = 32 = 9
- 585/27 = - (585 ÷ 9)/(27 ÷ 9) = - 65/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 585/27 = - (32 × 5 × 13)/33 = - ((32 × 5 × 13) ÷ 32)/(33 ÷ 32) = - 65/3