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: - 77/55
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 77 = 7 × 11
- 55 = 5 × 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 (77; 55) = 11
- 77/55 = - (77 ÷ 11)/(55 ÷ 11) = - 7/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 77/55 = - (7 × 11)/(5 × 11) = - ((7 × 11) ÷ 11)/((5 × 11) ÷ 11) = - 7/5
The fraction: - 84/60
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- GCF (84; 60) = 22 × 3 = 12
- 84/60 = - (84 ÷ 12)/(60 ÷ 12) = - 7/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 84/60 = - (22 × 3 × 7)/(22 × 3 × 5) = - ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3)) = - 7/5
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: