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: - 597/72
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 597 = 3 × 199
- 72 = 23 × 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 (597; 72) = 3
- 597/72 = - (597 ÷ 3)/(72 ÷ 3) = - 199/24
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 597/72 = - (3 × 199)/(23 × 32) = - ((3 × 199) ÷ 3)/((23 × 32) ÷ 3) = - 199/24
The fraction: - 600/75
- 600 = 23 × 3 × 52
- 75 = 3 × 52
- GCF (600; 75) = 3 × 52 = 75
- 600/75 = - (600 ÷ 75)/(75 ÷ 75) = - 8/1 = - 8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 600/75 = - (23 × 3 × 52)/(3 × 52) = - ((23 × 3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 52))/((3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 52)) = - 8/1 = - 8