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: - 60/120
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 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 (60; 120) = 22 × 3 × 5 = 60
- 60/120 = - (60 ÷ 60)/(120 ÷ 60) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 60/120 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(23 × 3 × 5) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3 × 5))/((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3 × 5)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 68/128
- 68 = 22 × 17
- 128 = 27
- GCF (68; 128) = 22 = 4
- 68/128 = - (68 ÷ 4)/(128 ÷ 4) = - 17/32
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 68/128 = - (22 × 17)/27 = - ((22 × 17) ÷ 22)/(27 ÷ 22) = - 17/32