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: - 55/44
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 55 = 5 × 11
- 44 = 22 × 11
- 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 (55; 44) = 11
- 55/44 = - (55 ÷ 11)/(44 ÷ 11) = - 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 55/44 = - (5 × 11)/(22 × 11) = - ((5 × 11) ÷ 11)/((22 × 11) ÷ 11) = - 5/4
The fraction: - 65/52
- 65 = 5 × 13
- 52 = 22 × 13
- GCF (65; 52) = 13
- 65/52 = - (65 ÷ 13)/(52 ÷ 13) = - 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 65/52 = - (5 × 13)/(22 × 13) = - ((5 × 13) ÷ 13)/((22 × 13) ÷ 13) = - 5/4
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: