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: 100/80
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 80 = 24 × 5
- 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 (100; 80) = 22 × 5 = 20
100/80 = (100 ÷ 20)/(80 ÷ 20) = 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
100/80 = (22 × 52)/(24 × 5) = ((22 × 52) ÷ (22 × 5))/((24 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5)) = 5/4
The fraction: 105/84
- 105 = 3 × 5 × 7
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- GCF (105; 84) = 3 × 7 = 21
105/84 = (105 ÷ 21)/(84 ÷ 21) = 5/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
105/84 = (3 × 5 × 7)/(22 × 3 × 7) = ((3 × 5 × 7) ÷ (3 × 7))/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (3 × 7)) = 5/4
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: