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: - 64/32
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 64 = 26
- 32 = 25
- 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 (64; 32) = 25 = 32
- 64/32 = - (64 ÷ 32)/(32 ÷ 32) = - 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:
- 64/32 = - 26/25 = - (26 ÷ 25)/(25 ÷ 25) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 74/34
- 74 = 2 × 37
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (74; 34) = 2
- 74/34 = - (74 ÷ 2)/(34 ÷ 2) = - 37/17
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 74/34 = - (2 × 37)/(2 × 17) = - ((2 × 37) ÷ 2)/((2 × 17) ÷ 2) = - 37/17