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: - 995/34
- 995/34 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 995 = 5 × 199
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (995; 34) = 1
The fraction: - 999/37
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 999 = 33 × 37
- 37 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 (999; 37) = 37
- 999/37 = - (999 ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = - 27/1 = - 27
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 999/37 = - (33 × 37)/37 = - ((33 × 37) ÷ 37)/(37 ÷ 37) = - 27/1 = - 27