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: - 8/208
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 8 = 23
- 208 = 24 × 13
- 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 (8; 208) = 23 = 8
- 8/208 = - (8 ÷ 8)/(208 ÷ 8) = - 1/26
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 8/208 = - 23/(24 × 13) = - (23 ÷ 23)/((24 × 13) ÷ 23) = - 1/26
The fraction: - 15/211
- 15/211 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 211 is a prime number.
- GCF (15; 211) = 1