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: - 72/27
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 27 = 33
- 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 (72; 27) = 32 = 9
- 72/27 = - (72 ÷ 9)/(27 ÷ 9) = - 8/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 72/27 = - (23 × 32)/33 = - ((23 × 32) ÷ 32)/(33 ÷ 32) = - 8/3
The fraction: - 80/30
- 80 = 24 × 5
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (80; 30) = 2 × 5 = 10
- 80/30 = - (80 ÷ 10)/(30 ÷ 10) = - 8/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 80/30 = - (24 × 5)/(2 × 3 × 5) = - ((24 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = - 8/3
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: