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: - 84/108
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 108 = 22 × 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 (84; 108) = 22 × 3 = 12
- 84/108 = - (84 ÷ 12)/(108 ÷ 12) = - 7/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 84/108 = - (22 × 3 × 7)/(22 × 33) = - ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 33) ÷ (22 × 3)) = - 7/9
The fraction: - 91/117
- 91 = 7 × 13
- 117 = 32 × 13
- GCF (91; 117) = 13
- 91/117 = - (91 ÷ 13)/(117 ÷ 13) = - 7/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 91/117 = - (7 × 13)/(32 × 13) = - ((7 × 13) ÷ 13)/((32 × 13) ÷ 13) = - 7/9
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: