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: 14/28
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 14 = 2 × 7
- 28 = 22 × 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 (14; 28) = 2 × 7 = 14
14/28 = (14 ÷ 14)/(28 ÷ 14) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
14/28 = (2 × 7)/(22 × 7) = ((2 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7))/((22 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7)) = 1/2
The fraction: 18/36
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 36 = 22 × 32
- GCF (18; 36) = 2 × 32 = 18
18/36 = (18 ÷ 18)/(36 ÷ 18) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
18/36 = (2 × 32)/(22 × 32) = ((2 × 32) ÷ (2 × 32))/((22 × 32) ÷ (2 × 32)) = 1/2
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: