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: - 6/22
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 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; 22) = 2
- 6/22 = - (6 ÷ 2)/(22 ÷ 2) = - 3/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/22 = - (2 × 3)/(2 × 11) = - ((2 × 3) ÷ 2)/((2 × 11) ÷ 2) = - 3/11
The fraction: - 16/32
- 16 = 24
- 32 = 25
- GCF (16; 32) = 24 = 16
- 16/32 = - (16 ÷ 16)/(32 ÷ 16) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 16/32 = - 24/25 = - (24 ÷ 24)/(25 ÷ 24) = - 1/2