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: - 6/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 12 = 22 × 3
- 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 (6; 12) = 2 × 3 = 6
- 6/12 = - (6 ÷ 6)/(12 ÷ 6) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 6/12 = - (2 × 3)/(22 × 3) = - ((2 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3))/((22 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3)) = - 1/2
The fraction: - 11/22
- 11 is a prime number.
- 22 = 2 × 11
- GCF (11; 22) = 11
- 11/22 = - (11 ÷ 11)/(22 ÷ 11) = - 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 11/22 = - 11/(2 × 11) = - (11 ÷ 11)/((2 × 11) ÷ 11) = - 1/2
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: