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: 16/24
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 16 = 24
- 24 = 23 × 3
- 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 (16; 24) = 23 = 8
16/24 = (16 ÷ 8)/(24 ÷ 8) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
16/24 = 24/(23 × 3) = (24 ÷ 23)/((23 × 3) ÷ 23) = 2/3
The fraction: 20/30
- 20 = 22 × 5
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (20; 30) = 2 × 5 = 10
20/30 = (20 ÷ 10)/(30 ÷ 10) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
20/30 = (22 × 5)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((22 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = 2/3
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: