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: 1/3
1/3 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 1 cannot be factored into other prime factors.
- 3 is a prime number.
- GCF (1; 3) = 1
The fraction: 2/6
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 2 is a prime number.
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 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 (2; 6) = 2
2/6 = (2 ÷ 2)/(6 ÷ 2) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
2/6 = 2/(2 × 3) = (2 ÷ 2)/((2 × 3) ÷ 2) = 1/3
The fraction: 4/12
- 4 = 22
- 12 = 22 × 3
- GCF (4; 12) = 22 = 4
4/12 = (4 ÷ 4)/(12 ÷ 4) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
4/12 = 22/(22 × 3) = (22 ÷ 22)/((22 × 3) ÷ 22) = 1/3
::: The operation of comparing fractions :::
The final answer: