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: - 72/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (72; 24) = 23 × 3 = 24
- 72/24 = - (72 ÷ 24)/(24 ÷ 24) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 72/24 = - (23 × 32)/(23 × 3) = - ((23 × 32) ÷ (23 × 3))/((23 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3)) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction: - 75/27
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 27 = 33
- GCF (75; 27) = 3
- 75/27 = - (75 ÷ 3)/(27 ÷ 3) = - 25/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 75/27 = - (3 × 52)/33 = - ((3 × 52) ÷ 3)/(33 ÷ 3) = - 25/9