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: - 40/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 40 = 23 × 5
- 24 = 23 × 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 (40; 24) = 23 = 8
- 40/24 = - (40 ÷ 8)/(24 ÷ 8) = - 5/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 40/24 = - (23 × 5)/(23 × 3) = - ((23 × 5) ÷ 23)/((23 × 3) ÷ 23) = - 5/3
The fraction: - 45/27
- 45 = 32 × 5
- 27 = 33
- GCF (45; 27) = 32 = 9
- 45/27 = - (45 ÷ 9)/(27 ÷ 9) = - 5/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 45/27 = - (32 × 5)/33 = - ((32 × 5) ÷ 32)/(33 ÷ 32) = - 5/3
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: