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: - 6/16
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 16 = 24
- 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; 16) = 2
- 6/16 = - (6 ÷ 2)/(16 ÷ 2) = - 3/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/16 = - (2 × 3)/24 = - ((2 × 3) ÷ 2)/(24 ÷ 2) = - 3/8
The fraction: - 8/24
- 8 = 23
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (8; 24) = 23 = 8
- 8/24 = - (8 ÷ 8)/(24 ÷ 8) = - 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 8/24 = - 23/(23 × 3) = - (23 ÷ 23)/((23 × 3) ÷ 23) = - 1/3