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: - 48/60
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 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 (48; 60) = 22 × 3 = 12
- 48/60 = - (48 ÷ 12)/(60 ÷ 12) = - 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 48/60 = - (24 × 3)/(22 × 3 × 5) = - ((24 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3)) = - 4/5
The fraction: - 52/65
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 65 = 5 × 13
- GCF (52; 65) = 13
- 52/65 = - (52 ÷ 13)/(65 ÷ 13) = - 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 52/65 = - (22 × 13)/(5 × 13) = - ((22 × 13) ÷ 13)/((5 × 13) ÷ 13) = - 4/5
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: