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: - 6/3
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 3 is a prime number.
- 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; 3) = 3
- 6/3 = - (6 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/3 = - (2 × 3)/3 = - ((2 × 3) ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 11/6
- 11/6 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 11 is a prime number.
- 6 = 2 × 3
- GCF (11; 6) = 1