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: - 75/30
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 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 (75; 30) = 3 × 5 = 15
- 75/30 = - (75 ÷ 15)/(30 ÷ 15) = - 5/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 75/30 = - (3 × 52)/(2 × 3 × 5) = - ((3 × 52) ÷ (3 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5)) = - 5/2
The fraction: - 85/34
- 85 = 5 × 17
- 34 = 2 × 17
- GCF (85; 34) = 17
- 85/34 = - (85 ÷ 17)/(34 ÷ 17) = - 5/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 85/34 = - (5 × 17)/(2 × 17) = - ((5 × 17) ÷ 17)/((2 × 17) ÷ 17) = - 5/2
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: