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: - 58/116
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 116 = 22 × 29
- 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 (58; 116) = 2 × 29 = 58
- 58/116 = - (58 ÷ 58)/(116 ÷ 58) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 58/116 = - (2 × 29)/(22 × 29) = - ((2 × 29) ÷ (2 × 29))/((22 × 29) ÷ (2 × 29)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 66/123
- 66 = 2 × 3 × 11
- 123 = 3 × 41
- GCF (66; 123) = 3
- 66/123 = - (66 ÷ 3)/(123 ÷ 3) = - 22/41
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 66/123 = - (2 × 3 × 11)/(3 × 41) = - ((2 × 3 × 11) ÷ 3)/((3 × 41) ÷ 3) = - 22/41