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: - 68/136
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 68 = 22 × 17
- 136 = 23 × 17
- 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 (68; 136) = 22 × 17 = 68
- 68/136 = - (68 ÷ 68)/(136 ÷ 68) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 68/136 = - (22 × 17)/(23 × 17) = - ((22 × 17) ÷ (22 × 17))/((23 × 17) ÷ (22 × 17)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 76/144
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 144 = 24 × 32
- GCF (76; 144) = 22 = 4
- 76/144 = - (76 ÷ 4)/(144 ÷ 4) = - 19/36
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 76/144 = - (22 × 19)/(24 × 32) = - ((22 × 19) ÷ 22)/((24 × 32) ÷ 22) = - 19/36