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: - 80/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 80 = 24 × 5
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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; 36) = 22 = 4
- 80/36 = - (80 ÷ 4)/(36 ÷ 4) = - 20/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 80/36 = - (24 × 5)/(22 × 32) = - ((24 × 5) ÷ 22)/((22 × 32) ÷ 22) = - 20/9
The fraction: - 82/41
- 82 = 2 × 41
- 41 is a prime number.
- GCF (82; 41) = 41
- 82/41 = - (82 ÷ 41)/(41 ÷ 41) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 82/41 = - (2 × 41)/41 = - ((2 × 41) ÷ 41)/(41 ÷ 41) = - 2/1 = - 2