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: - 32/80
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 32 = 25
- 80 = 24 × 5
- 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 (32; 80) = 24 = 16
- 32/80 = - (32 ÷ 16)/(80 ÷ 16) = - 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 32/80 = - 25/(24 × 5) = - (25 ÷ 24)/((24 × 5) ÷ 24) = - 2/5
The fraction: - 34/85
- 34 = 2 × 17
- 85 = 5 × 17
- GCF (34; 85) = 17
- 34/85 = - (34 ÷ 17)/(85 ÷ 17) = - 2/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 34/85 = - (2 × 17)/(5 × 17) = - ((2 × 17) ÷ 17)/((5 × 17) ÷ 17) = - 2/5
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: