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: - 46/69
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 46 = 2 × 23
- 69 = 3 × 23
- 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 (46; 69) = 23
- 46/69 = - (46 ÷ 23)/(69 ÷ 23) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 46/69 = - (2 × 23)/(3 × 23) = - ((2 × 23) ÷ 23)/((3 × 23) ÷ 23) = - 2/3
The fraction: - 50/75
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 75 = 3 × 52
- GCF (50; 75) = 52 = 25
- 50/75 = - (50 ÷ 25)/(75 ÷ 25) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 50/75 = - (2 × 52)/(3 × 52) = - ((2 × 52) ÷ 52)/((3 × 52) ÷ 52) = - 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: