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: - 9/3
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 9 = 32
- 3 is a prime number.
- 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 (9; 3) = 3
- 9/3 = - (9 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 9/3 = - 32/3 = - (32 ÷ 3)/(3 ÷ 3) = - 3/1 = - 3
The fraction: - 17/11
- 17/11 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 17 is a prime number.
- 11 is a prime number.
- GCF (17; 11) = 1