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: - 62/124
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 62 = 2 × 31
- 124 = 22 × 31
- 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 (62; 124) = 2 × 31 = 62
- 62/124 = - (62 ÷ 62)/(124 ÷ 62) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 62/124 = - (2 × 31)/(22 × 31) = - ((2 × 31) ÷ (2 × 31))/((22 × 31) ÷ (2 × 31)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 72/129
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 129 = 3 × 43
- GCF (72; 129) = 3
- 72/129 = - (72 ÷ 3)/(129 ÷ 3) = - 24/43
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 72/129 = - (23 × 32)/(3 × 43) = - ((23 × 32) ÷ 3)/((3 × 43) ÷ 3) = - 24/43