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: - 66/88
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 66 = 2 × 3 × 11
- 88 = 23 × 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 (66; 88) = 2 × 11 = 22
- 66/88 = - (66 ÷ 22)/(88 ÷ 22) = - 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 66/88 = - (2 × 3 × 11)/(23 × 11) = - ((2 × 3 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11))/((23 × 11) ÷ (2 × 11)) = - 3/4
The fraction: - 72/96
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 96 = 25 × 3
- GCF (72; 96) = 23 × 3 = 24
- 72/96 = - (72 ÷ 24)/(96 ÷ 24) = - 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 72/96 = - (23 × 32)/(25 × 3) = - ((23 × 32) ÷ (23 × 3))/((25 × 3) ÷ (23 × 3)) = - 3/4
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: