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: - 4/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 4 = 22
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (4; 6) = 2
- 4/6 = - (4 ÷ 2)/(6 ÷ 2) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 4/6 = - 22/(2 × 3) = - (22 ÷ 2)/((2 × 3) ÷ 2) = - 2/3
The fraction: - 10/15
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 15 = 3 × 5
- GCF (10; 15) = 5
- 10/15 = - (10 ÷ 5)/(15 ÷ 5) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 10/15 = - (2 × 5)/(3 × 5) = - ((2 × 5) ÷ 5)/((3 × 5) ÷ 5) = - 2/3
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: