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: - 60/188
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 188 = 22 × 47
- 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; 188) = 22 = 4
- 60/188 = - (60 ÷ 4)/(188 ÷ 4) = - 15/47
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 60/188 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(22 × 47) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 47) ÷ 22) = - 15/47
The fraction: - 65/195
- 65 = 5 × 13
- 195 = 3 × 5 × 13
- GCF (65; 195) = 5 × 13 = 65
- 65/195 = - (65 ÷ 65)/(195 ÷ 65) = - 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 65/195 = - (5 × 13)/(3 × 5 × 13) = - ((5 × 13) ÷ (5 × 13))/((3 × 5 × 13) ÷ (5 × 13)) = - 1/3