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: - 788/16
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 788 = 22 × 197
- 16 = 24
- 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 (788; 16) = 22 = 4
- 788/16 = - (788 ÷ 4)/(16 ÷ 4) = - 197/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 788/16 = - (22 × 197)/24 = - ((22 × 197) ÷ 22)/(24 ÷ 22) = - 197/4
The fraction: - 792/22
- 792 = 23 × 32 × 11
- 22 = 2 × 11
- GCF (792; 22) = 2 × 11 = 22
- 792/22 = - (792 ÷ 22)/(22 ÷ 22) = - 36/1 = - 36
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 792/22 = - (23 × 32 × 11)/(2 × 11) = - ((23 × 32 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11))/((2 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11)) = - 36/1 = - 36