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: - 56/84
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 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 (56; 84) = 22 × 7 = 28
- 56/84 = - (56 ÷ 28)/(84 ÷ 28) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 56/84 = - (23 × 7)/(22 × 3 × 7) = - ((23 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7))/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = - 2/3
The fraction: - 58/87
- 58 = 2 × 29
- 87 = 3 × 29
- GCF (58; 87) = 29
- 58/87 = - (58 ÷ 29)/(87 ÷ 29) = - 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 58/87 = - (2 × 29)/(3 × 29) = - ((2 × 29) ÷ 29)/((3 × 29) ÷ 29) = - 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: