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: - 82/38
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 82 = 2 × 41
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 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 (82; 38) = 2
- 82/38 = - (82 ÷ 2)/(38 ÷ 2) = - 41/19
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 82/38 = - (2 × 41)/(2 × 19) = - ((2 × 41) ÷ 2)/((2 × 19) ÷ 2) = - 41/19
The fraction: - 88/44
- 88 = 23 × 11
- 44 = 22 × 11
- GCF (88; 44) = 22 × 11 = 44
- 88/44 = - (88 ÷ 44)/(44 ÷ 44) = - 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:
- 88/44 = - (23 × 11)/(22 × 11) = - ((23 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11))/((22 × 11) ÷ (22 × 11)) = - 2/1 = - 2