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: - 8/20
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 8 = 23
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 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; 20) = 22 = 4
- 8/20 = - (8 ÷ 4)/(20 ÷ 4) = - 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 8/20 = - 23/(22 × 5) = - (23 ÷ 22)/((22 × 5) ÷ 22) = - 2/5
The fraction: - 11/22
- 11 is a prime number.
- 22 = 2 × 11
- GCF (11; 22) = 11
- 11/22 = - (11 ÷ 11)/(22 ÷ 11) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 11/22 = - 11/(2 × 11) = - (11 ÷ 11)/((2 × 11) ÷ 11) = - 1/2