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: - 84/72
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- 72 = 23 × 32
- 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; 72) = 22 × 3 = 12
- 84/72 = - (84 ÷ 12)/(72 ÷ 12) = - 7/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 84/72 = - (22 × 3 × 7)/(23 × 32) = - ((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 3))/((23 × 32) ÷ (22 × 3)) = - 7/6
The fraction: - 91/78
- 91 = 7 × 13
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 13
- GCF (91; 78) = 13
- 91/78 = - (91 ÷ 13)/(78 ÷ 13) = - 7/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 91/78 = - (7 × 13)/(2 × 3 × 13) = - ((7 × 13) ÷ 13)/((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ 13) = - 7/6
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: