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: 10/16
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 10 = 2 × 5
- 16 = 24
- 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 (10; 16) = 2
10/16 = (10 ÷ 2)/(16 ÷ 2) = 5/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
10/16 = (2 × 5)/24 = ((2 × 5) ÷ 2)/(24 ÷ 2) = 5/8
The fraction: 15/24
- 15 = 3 × 5
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (15; 24) = 3
15/24 = (15 ÷ 3)/(24 ÷ 3) = 5/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
15/24 = (3 × 5)/(23 × 3) = ((3 × 5) ÷ 3)/((23 × 3) ÷ 3) = 5/8
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: