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: - 52/78
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- 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 (52; 78) = 2 × 13 = 26
- 52/78 = - (52 ÷ 26)/(78 ÷ 26) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 52/78 = - (22 × 13)/(2 × 3 × 13) = - ((22 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13))/((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13)) = - 2/3
The fraction: - 54/81
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 81 = 34
- GCF (54; 81) = 33 = 27
- 54/81 = - (54 ÷ 27)/(81 ÷ 27) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 54/81 = - (2 × 33)/34 = - ((2 × 33) ÷ 33)/(34 ÷ 33) = - 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: