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: 120/160
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 160 = 25 × 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 (120; 160) = 23 × 5 = 40
120/160 = (120 ÷ 40)/(160 ÷ 40) = 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
120/160 = (23 × 3 × 5)/(25 × 5) = ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5))/((25 × 5) ÷ (23 × 5)) = 3/4
The fraction: 126/168
- 126 = 2 × 32 × 7
- 168 = 23 × 3 × 7
- GCF (126; 168) = 2 × 3 × 7 = 42
126/168 = (126 ÷ 42)/(168 ÷ 42) = 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
126/168 = (2 × 32 × 7)/(23 × 3 × 7) = ((2 × 32 × 7) ÷ (2 × 3 × 7))/((23 × 3 × 7) ÷ (2 × 3 × 7)) = 3/4
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: