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: - 54/60
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 54 = 2 × 33
- 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 (54; 60) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 54/60 = - (54 ÷ 6)/(60 ÷ 6) = - 9/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 54/60 = - (2 × 33)/(22 × 3 × 5) = - ((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 3))/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 9/10
The fraction: - 63/70
- 63 = 32 × 7
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 7
- GCF (63; 70) = 7
- 63/70 = - (63 ÷ 7)/(70 ÷ 7) = - 9/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 63/70 = - (32 × 7)/(2 × 5 × 7) = - ((32 × 7) ÷ 7)/((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ 7) = - 9/10
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: