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: - 6/14
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 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 (6; 14) = 2
- 6/14 = - (6 ÷ 2)/(14 ÷ 2) = - 3/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/14 = - (2 × 3)/(2 × 7) = - ((2 × 3) ÷ 2)/((2 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 3/7
The fraction: - 12/24
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (12; 24) = 22 × 3 = 12
- 12/24 = - (12 ÷ 12)/(24 ÷ 12) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 12/24 = - (22 × 3)/(23 × 3) = - ((22 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3))/((23 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3)) = - 1/2