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: 196/168
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 196 = 22 × 72
- 168 = 23 × 3 × 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 (196; 168) = 22 × 7 = 28
196/168 = (196 ÷ 28)/(168 ÷ 28) = 7/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
196/168 = (22 × 72)/(23 × 3 × 7) = ((22 × 72) ÷ (22 × 7))/((23 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = 7/6
The fraction: 203/174
- 203 = 7 × 29
- 174 = 2 × 3 × 29
- GCF (203; 174) = 29
203/174 = (203 ÷ 29)/(174 ÷ 29) = 7/6
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
203/174 = (7 × 29)/(2 × 3 × 29) = ((7 × 29) ÷ 29)/((2 × 3 × 29) ÷ 29) = 7/6
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: