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: - 65/5
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 65 = 5 × 13
- 5 is a prime number.
- 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 (65; 5) = 5
- 65/5 = - (65 ÷ 5)/(5 ÷ 5) = - 13/1 = - 13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 65/5 = - (5 × 13)/5 = - ((5 × 13) ÷ 5)/(5 ÷ 5) = - 13/1 = - 13
The fraction: - 74/7
- 74/7 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 74 = 2 × 37
- 7 is a prime number.
- GCF (74; 7) = 1