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: - 992/42
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 992 = 25 × 31
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- 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 (992; 42) = 2
- 992/42 = - (992 ÷ 2)/(42 ÷ 2) = - 496/21
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 992/42 = - (25 × 31)/(2 × 3 × 7) = - ((25 × 31) ÷ 2)/((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ 2) = - 496/21
The fraction: - 1,000/50
- 1,000 = 23 × 53
- 50 = 2 × 52
- GCF (1,000; 50) = 2 × 52 = 50
- 1,000/50 = - (1,000 ÷ 50)/(50 ÷ 50) = - 20/1 = - 20
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 1,000/50 = - (23 × 53)/(2 × 52) = - ((23 × 53) ÷ (2 × 52))/((2 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52)) = - 20/1 = - 20