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: - 76/4
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 4 = 22
- 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 (76; 4) = 22 = 4
- 76/4 = - (76 ÷ 4)/(4 ÷ 4) = - 19/1 = - 19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 76/4 = - (22 × 19)/22 = - ((22 × 19) ÷ 22)/(22 ÷ 22) = - 19/1 = - 19
The fraction: - 83/14
- 83/14 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 83 is a prime number.
- 14 = 2 × 7
- GCF (83; 14) = 1