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: - 98/49
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 98 = 2 × 72
- 49 = 72
- 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 (98; 49) = 72 = 49
- 98/49 = - (98 ÷ 49)/(49 ÷ 49) = - 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:
- 98/49 = - (2 × 72)/72 = - ((2 × 72) ÷ 72)/(72 ÷ 72) = - 2/1 = - 2
The fraction: - 106/56
- 106 = 2 × 53
- 56 = 23 × 7
- GCF (106; 56) = 2
- 106/56 = - (106 ÷ 2)/(56 ÷ 2) = - 53/28
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 106/56 = - (2 × 53)/(23 × 7) = - ((2 × 53) ÷ 2)/((23 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 53/28