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: - 9/75
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 9 = 32
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 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; 75) = 3
- 9/75 = - (9 ÷ 3)/(75 ÷ 3) = - 3/25
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 9/75 = - 32/(3 × 52) = - (32 ÷ 3)/((3 × 52) ÷ 3) = - 3/25
The fraction: - 16/80
- 16 = 24
- 80 = 24 × 5
- GCF (16; 80) = 24 = 16
- 16/80 = - (16 ÷ 16)/(80 ÷ 16) = - 1/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 16/80 = - 24/(24 × 5) = - (24 ÷ 24)/((24 × 5) ÷ 24) = - 1/5