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: - 60/30
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 30 = 2 × 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; 30) = 2 × 3 × 5 = 30
- 60/30 = - (60 ÷ 30)/(30 ÷ 30) = - 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:
- 60/30 = - (22 × 3 × 5)/(2 × 3 × 5) = - ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3 × 5)) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 69/33
- 69 = 3 × 23
- 33 = 3 × 11
- GCF (69; 33) = 3
- 69/33 = - (69 ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = - 23/11
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 69/33 = - (3 × 23)/(3 × 11) = - ((3 × 23) ÷ 3)/((3 × 11) ÷ 3) = - 23/11