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: - 15/10
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 10 = 2 × 5
- GCF (15; 10) = 5
- 15/10 = - (15 ÷ 5)/(10 ÷ 5) = - 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 15/10 = - (3 × 5)/(2 × 5) = - ((3 × 5) ÷ 5)/((2 × 5) ÷ 5) = - 3/2