Chapter 4: Problem 84
Simplify each fraction. Do not convert any improper fractions to mixed numbers. \(-\frac{104}{48}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
-\frac{13}{6}
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)
First, find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator (-104) and the denominator (48). The GCD is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.
02
- Calculate the GCD
To find the GCD of 104 and 48, list the factors of each number:Factors of 104: 1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 26, 52, 104Factors of 48: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48The common factors are 1, 2, 4, 8, and the greatest common factor is 8.
03
- Divide Both the Numerator and the Denominator by the GCD
Now, divide both the numerator (-104) and the denominator (48) by the GCD (8):\(-\frac{104}{48} = -\frac{104 \div 8}{48 \div 8} = -\frac{13}{6}\)
04
- Simplify the Fraction
The fraction \(-\frac{13}{6}\) is already in its simplest form because 13 and 6 have no common factors other than 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)
When simplifying fractions, the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) plays a crucial role. The GCD is the largest number that can evenly divide both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction. Understanding how to find the GCD is essential. Start by listing all factors of each number involved. For example, to find the GCD of 104 and 48, list:
- Factors of 104: 1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 26, 52, 104
- Factors of 48: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48
Numerator
The numerator is the top part of a fraction. It represents how many parts of the whole are taken. In the fraction \(-\frac{104}{48}\), the numerator is -104. When simplifying fractions, you divide the numerator by the GCD. For our example, using the GCD 8, you divide -104 by 8 to get -13. Remember:
- The numerator can be a positive or negative number.
- It tells you 'how many' or 'how much' of the fraction you have.
Denominator
The denominator is the bottom part of a fraction. It shows the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into. In the fraction \( -\frac{104}{48} \), the denominator is 48. Simplifying involves dividing the denominator by the GCD. For this example, you divide 48 by 8, resulting in 6. Key points about denominators:
- The denominator cannot be zero, as division by zero is undefined.
- It indicates the 'total parts' that make up a whole.
Improper Fractions
An improper fraction is one where the numerator is larger than the denominator. It means the fraction represents a value greater than 1 or less than -1 if the numerator is negative. In our example, \( -\frac{104}{48} \) is an improper fraction because 104 is larger than 48. After simplification, it becomes \( -\frac{13}{6} \), which is still improper. Important points about improper fractions:
- They can be simplified to their lowest terms.
- They do not need to be converted to mixed numbers unless specified.