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: 135/105
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 135 = 33 × 5
- 105 = 3 × 5 × 7
- 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 (135; 105) = 3 × 5 = 15
135/105 = (135 ÷ 15)/(105 ÷ 15) = 9/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
135/105 = (33 × 5)/(3 × 5 × 7) = ((33 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5))/((3 × 5 × 7) ÷ (3 × 5)) = 9/7
The fraction: 144/112
- 144 = 24 × 32
- 112 = 24 × 7
- GCF (144; 112) = 24 = 16
144/112 = (144 ÷ 16)/(112 ÷ 16) = 9/7
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
144/112 = (24 × 32)/(24 × 7) = ((24 × 32) ÷ 24)/((24 × 7) ÷ 24) = 9/7
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: