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: 200/250
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 200 = 23 × 52
- 250 = 2 × 53
- 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 (200; 250) = 2 × 52 = 50
200/250 = (200 ÷ 50)/(250 ÷ 50) = 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
200/250 = (23 × 52)/(2 × 53) = ((23 × 52) ÷ (2 × 52))/((2 × 53) ÷ (2 × 52)) = 4/5
The fraction: 208/260
- 208 = 24 × 13
- 260 = 22 × 5 × 13
- GCF (208; 260) = 22 × 13 = 52
208/260 = (208 ÷ 52)/(260 ÷ 52) = 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
208/260 = (24 × 13)/(22 × 5 × 13) = ((24 × 13) ÷ (22 × 13))/((22 × 5 × 13) ÷ (22 × 13)) = 4/5
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: