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: - 20/70
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 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 (20; 70) = 2 × 5 = 10
- 20/70 = - (20 ÷ 10)/(70 ÷ 10) = - 2/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 20/70 = - (22 × 5)/(2 × 5 × 7) = - ((22 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ (2 × 5)) = - 2/7
The fraction: - 22/77
- 22 = 2 × 11
- 77 = 7 × 11
- GCF (22; 77) = 11
- 22/77 = - (22 ÷ 11)/(77 ÷ 11) = - 2/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 22/77 = - (2 × 11)/(7 × 11) = - ((2 × 11) ÷ 11)/((7 × 11) ÷ 11) = - 2/7
The fractions are equal.
This is one of the simplest cases when comparing two fractions.
Not only are the numerators of the fractions equal but their denominators are also equal.
::: The operation of comparing fractions :::
The final answer: