Question

Reduce the fraction to the lowest terms. Do not use spaces in your answer.

A) -5j/7k
B) -5/7jk
C) -1/7jk
D) -5jk/35j^2k^2

Answer 1

The fraction -5jk/35j^2k^2 is reduced to lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their common factors, which are 5j and k, resulting in the simplified fraction -1/7jk. Option C) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

To reduce the fraction -5jk/35j^2k^2 to the lowest terms, you would first identify any common factors in the numerator and denominator. In this case, both the numerator and the denominator share a factor of 5j and k. By dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 5j and k, you simplify the fraction.

Divide -5jk by 5jk to get -1, and divide 35j^2k^2 by 5jk to get 7jk. The simplified fraction is -1/7jk, which means option C) is the correct answer.

To check the answer and ensure it is reasonable, multiply the numerator and denominator of the reduced fraction by the same terms you originally divided by (5jk). This process, when applied correctly, will yield the original fraction, confirming the correctness of the simplification.