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: - 80/172
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 80 = 24 × 5
- 172 = 22 × 43
- 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 (80; 172) = 22 = 4
- 80/172 = - (80 ÷ 4)/(172 ÷ 4) = - 20/43
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 80/172 = - (24 × 5)/(22 × 43) = - ((24 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 43) ÷ 22) = - 20/43
The fraction: - 88/176
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 176 = 24 × 11
- GCF (88; 176) = 23 × 11 = 88
- 88/176 = - (88 ÷ 88)/(176 ÷ 88) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 88/176 = - (23 × 11)/(24 × 11) = - ((23 × 11) ÷ (23 × 11))/((24 × 11) ÷ (23 × 11)) = - 1/2