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: - 27/36
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 27 = 33
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 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 (27; 36) = 32 = 9
- 27/36 = - (27 ÷ 9)/(36 ÷ 9) = - 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 27/36 = - 33/(22 × 32) = - (33 ÷ 32)/((22 × 32) ÷ 32) = - 3/4
The fraction: - 33/44
- 33 = 3 × 11
- 44 = 22 × 11
- GCF (33; 44) = 11
- 33/44 = - (33 ÷ 11)/(44 ÷ 11) = - 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 33/44 = - (3 × 11)/(22 × 11) = - ((3 × 11) ÷ 11)/((22 × 11) ÷ 11) = - 3/4
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: