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: - 75/35
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 35 = 5 × 7
- 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 (75; 35) = 5
- 75/35 = - (75 ÷ 5)/(35 ÷ 5) = - 15/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 75/35 = - (3 × 52)/(5 × 7) = - ((3 × 52) ÷ 5)/((5 × 7) ÷ 5) = - 15/7
The fraction: - 84/42
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- GCF (84; 42) = 2 × 3 × 7 = 42
- 84/42 = - (84 ÷ 42)/(42 ÷ 42) = - 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:
- 84/42 = - (22 × 3 × 7)/(2 × 3 × 7) = - ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (2 × 3 × 7))/((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ (2 × 3 × 7)) = - 2/1 = - 2